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Media Release, August 5, 2010

ALLIANCE FOR A STRONGER FDA HAILS WAXMAN-HARKIN LETTER SUPPORTING HIGHER FUNDING FOR FDA

Letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius Urges Her Advocacy for Higher FDA Funding in FY 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 5, 2010 –The Alliance for a Stronger FDA today praised a Congressional letter seeking more funds for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the President’s FY 2012 budget request to Congress. Specifically, the letter is addressed to US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and urges her to make FDA funding a priority as she negotiates FY 2012 funding levels with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the White House.

“Congressman Waxman and Senator Harkin have long-championed the FDA’s cause,” said Wayne Pines, President of the Alliance. “We appreciate their efforts to look one fiscal year ahead, recognizing that Congressional discussion of FDA resources starts with the President’s request. Secretary Sebelius is a key to whether the agency receives a significant boost in FY 2012.”

Representative Henry Waxman is Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senator Tom Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. These are the primary committees for FDA authorizing legislation and oversight of FDA. In addition, the letter was signed by Representatives John Dingell, Frank Pallone and Bart Stupak, who are all senior leaders on Chairman Waxman’s committee. 

“The Alliance will continue to advocate for further increases for FDA in the current FY 2011 appropriations cycle, as well as in the forthcoming FY 2012 process,” said Nancy Bradish Myers, Vice-President of the Alliance and President of Catalyst Healthcare Consulting. “It would be short-sighted–this year or next year–to leave our premier public health agency overextended and ill-equipped to carry out its mission. Continuing chronic underfunding of FDA affects our public health, our economy and our national security.”

The Alliance for a Stronger FDA is a coalition of more than 180 consumer, patient, professional and research groups, companies, trade associations, and individuals who support increased appropriated funding for FDA.  The Alliance is the only multi-stakeholder group that advocates for increasing resources at FDA to match the agency’s responsibilities.

If you wish to receive more information about the FY 2011 and FY 2012 appropriations cycles and why FDA needs increased funding, please send an e-mail to info@StrengthenFDA.org.

More information about the Alliance can be found at www.StrengthenFDA.org. 

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A number of Alliance members have also sent letters to Secretary Sebelius urging her to fight for higher FDA funding in the President’s FY 2012 request. Here are links to those letters:

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