Senate Requests Additional FDA Funding for 2009
A resolution was passed by the United States Senate to request an additional $375 million in funds for the FDA during Fiscal Year 2009. An article was published in the New York Times describing the request and some of the surrounding factors which contributed to such.
Whether or not the Agency receives the money remains to be seen; President Bush has threatened to veto such requests. Some Congresspeople cite concerns about providing the FDA additional funds, as many suggest that the agency is simply inept. Further commentary is directed against agency head, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, and other management for failing to deliver.
The House has yet to act with regards to the intended budget for the FDA. There appears to be some disagreement within the Congressional ranks, particularly in light of President Bush’s shortly ending term. Some believe that increase requests are better suited for the next administration. Some argue that the Agency needs to be completely restructured. Dr. von Eschenbach has suggested such himself, noting the inability of the Agency to fulfill its many responsibilities while financially strapped.
Some speculate that the additional funds were requested by legislators in light of the recent heparin scandal. Pharmaceutical giant Baxter was charged with faulty manufacturing facilities in China, resulting in contaminated heparin units brought into the United States. Almost twenty people have died because of the faulty drug. This event mirrors previous incidents with contamination of drug products manufactured in overseas facilities that were not inspected.
The FDA admitted that it was unable to sufficiently assess the manufacturing facilities in China, which was also noted in a General Accountability Office report published on HospitalBuyer. In fact, Dr. von Eschenbach, FDA Commissioner, has pleaded for increased funds in order to meet this obligation, amongst others . Multiple Congresspeople note that there are significant gaps in the FDA’s ability to fulfill its sundry obligations due to inadequate resources.
President Bush released his planned budget for the FDA in Fiscal Year 2009, requesting $2.4 billion, which was described on HospitalBuyer. Watchdog agencies noted at that time that the funding was insufficient to support the food and drug safety organization.
March 25, 2008 Related topics: Legal & legislative, Finance