The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has initiated a review of its original strategic plan and the development of a revised plan for 2004-2009. The original ODS Plan (“Merging Quality Science with Supplement Research”) was prepared in 1997-1998 with the assistance and input from a wide number of interested parties and has guided the activities of ODS for the past five years. The new initiative is reexamining the goals and objectives of the original report, reviewing the progress made and considering needs and opportunities for ODS program focus. A revised strategic plan for 2004-2009 will be published later this year. As a part of the process, a background paper that reviews progress of ODS programs and activities from 1996 to 2003 and requests input from all interested parties has been prepared. In addition, an open meeting to receive comments, suggestions and views on research needs and opportunities was held May 8-9. Needs and opportunities for research, education and information dissemination were discussed at this public meeting.

People are invited to provide comments and suggestions on the scope, content and approaches ODS should consider in developing the strategic plan for 2004-2009. Comments can be sent by E-mail to [email protected] and submissions should be received by June 27th.