Senate Asks for $375 Million Boost in FDA BudgetSenate Asks for $375 Million Boost in FDA Budget

The Senate has passed a resolution to give an additional $375 million to FDA's fiscal year 2009 budget, reports the New York Times.

March 17, 2008

1 Min Read
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Transforming FDA LogoThe Senate has passed a resolution to give an additional $375 million to FDA's fiscal year 2009 budget, reports the New York Times. The main impetus appears to have been Baxter's tainted heparin that might have never reached these shores had FDA inspected the Chinese plant where the problem occurred. For some Senators, that incident amplified the numerous recently released reports stating that the agency does not have nearly enough funds to accomplish its mission.It is not yet known whether the House would agree to the contents of the resolution. There is no similar language in the budget bills it passed, but as The Alliance for a Stronger FDA points out, it is very rare that budget items are addressed specifically in the language of such bills. However, the Times article implies that there may be a split among Congressional Democrats on the timing of a budget increase; some want it immediately, while others may prefer to wait until President Bush leaves office because they don't think his administration has any desire to fix FDA's problems, and they don't think that top FDA officials are capable of fixing them.

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