Write in/Call FDA's increase request /from drug companies

[Guest guest]

The proposed budget of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is worrying the

Democrats. They are concerned that FDA’s annual increases in industry user

fees—$828 million from manufacturers of medical and food products, including

hundreds of millions drug manufacturers pay annually to help speed the review of

new medicines—might compromise the agency's independence.

For fiscal year 2010, FDA is requesting a budget of $3.2 billion. The acting

head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sharfstein, defended the

agency's request for more funding from drug companies: “I understand the

concern that people . . . have expressed that user fees create a perception or a

conflict of the agency's work. I think these concerns reflect a broader lack of

trust in the FDA.â€

To alleviate unease, he said, the new FDA head, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, must

" renew the public's confidence by acting with integrity and transparency " and

send " the signal inside and outside the agency that we will make decisions based

on the best available scientific evidence and not on influence that's

inappropriate. "

The budget plan also seeks new fees to help clear a backlog of generic drug

applications, and to reinspect food and medical product plants that fail to meet

FDA standards.

Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey said the growing percentage of fees from

drugmakers " is something of great concern for a number of people on this

committee.†AAHF agrees. We believe it is time to reform the Food and Drug

Administration from the ground up. If you have not done so already, please go to

ReformFDA.org and sign our petition, which will be delivered to Congress.

" Those who danced were thought to be quite insane, by those who could not hear

the music. "

- Monet

 

Dona L Wheeler  www.ChironLightMuse.com

Volunteer Human Rights Investigator

Citizens Commission On Human Rights

 

Roanoke, Va.  24018