Every American, every day, relies on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA).

The FDA has responsibility for the quality and safety of

• most of the food you eat
• all of the medications that you take
• medical devices and diagnostic tests used in hospitals and doctors’ offices
• the cosmetics you use to enhance your appearance

and much, much more.

Altogether, 25% of every consumer dollar spent in America every day is spent on products regulated by the FDA.

To meet this challenge, the federal government gives the FDA about $8 per year for each American (an annual “appropriation” of $2.36 billion for FY 2010). Nowhere else in the federal budget does so little money need to go so far. The FDA has just 10,000 employees to monitor food safety, review the safety and efficacy of medical products, assure the safe use of those medical products, and protect the American people, their pets, and their farm animals from poorly made, counterfeit, and illegal food, drugs, and cosmetics.

The Alliance for a Stronger FDA was formed to work for increased appropriations to strengthen the FDA. It has 180+ members spanning not-for-profit consumer, patient, and research advocacy organizations; associations representing health professions and industry; and individual companies. Every relevant stakeholder group is a part of our cause.