Over the course of 2007, the FDLI SmartBrief has delivered you the industry news that matters to your business and clients. Part I of this FDLI SmartBrief special year-end report rounds up the most important trends, stories and events of the past year. Part II, which will hit your inbox on Thursday, will provide a glimpse into what's in store for 2008.

The year began with news about drugmaker gift-giving to doctors, an issue that has gained traction among industry players, academic institutions and legislators. This was also one of the most important years for the industry, Congress and the FDA, with the passage of the FDA Amendment Act of 2007. The Act brought about the renewal of FDA user fees and the expansion of the FDA's powers into postmarket monitoring, and has the potential to create huge changes in the drug and device industries. Another dominant topic was drug and food safety. Food recalls forced the government and companies to re-evaluate food safety systems in the U.S.

This year FDLI launched its high level Colloquia series focusing on policy issues, including access by terminally ill patients to unapproved new therapies and the challenge of risk communication for FDA. This year's conferences included the FDLI's Fifth Annual Enforcement and Litigation; 50th Annual FDLI & FDA Conference; and the 19th Annual Advertising and Promotion Conference. FDLI members also tuned in for audio conferences, including the new FDA Audio Forum Series and others covering FDA reauthorization legislation, pharmaceutical brand-name challenges and the FDA's review of patient rights. It was an exciting year, indeed.

And now, here's what was most important to YOU in 2007.