if authorized by the Panel, take any action which the Panel is authorized to take by this section. (3) Obtaining official data The Panel may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chair of the Panel, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Panel. The Panel shall keep any information secured under this paragraph confidential to the same extent as the department or agency from which the information was secured is required by applicable law to keep such information confidential. (4) Uses and disclosures for public health activities For purposes of section 164.512 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (and any successor regulation) the Panel is deemed to be a public health authority. (5) Mails The Panel may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (6) Subpoena power (A) In general The Panel may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence relating to any matter about which the Panel is authorized by this section to advise the agencies of the Public Health Service. The attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence may be required from any place within the United States at any designated place of hearing within the United States. (B) Failure to obey a subpoena If a person refuses to obey a subpoena issued under subparagraph (A), the Panel may apply to a United States district court for an order requiring that person to appear before the Panel to give testimony, produce evidence, or both, relating to the matter under investigation. The application may be made within the judicial district where the hearing is conducted or where that person is found, resides, or transacts business. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as civil contempt. (C) Service of subpoenas The subpoenas of the