|
|
It looks like the FDA may get some much needed funding.
June 10 (Bloomberg) -- The Bush administration increased its budget request for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by $275 million after the agency's commissioner told Congress that more funding was needed to protect against unsafe products.
The money would augment $2.4 billion previously sought by President George W. Bush for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt in a conference call with reporters yesterday. More resources are needed to police food, drugs and medical devices, Leavitt said.
Lawmakers have criticized the FDA's performance after the blood thinner heparin was found to have a contaminated ingredient from China. The FDA commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach, wrote a letter last month to Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, saying the agency needed $275 million to beef up inspections of manufacturers.
The products regulated by the FDA ``are essential and critical to the welfare of every single American,'' said Von Eschenbach during the same conference call.
Full Story
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070_U584Ks7s&refer=home
|
