Messaging for the Alliance’s Upcoming Senate Hill Meetings
The FDA’s “broad, complex, and growing responsibilities” is the core message of all Alliance Hill meetings. However, the reality of this statement can be hard to convey in a short meeting.
Our approach -- which has proven effective -- is for the team leader to open with some brief remarks on:
who we are (“all the stakeholders on behalf of the American public”),
why FDA is so important (“FDA touches every American, every day, multiple times”), and
the need for more resources in FY 23 (“FDA’s growing responsibilities require a budget that grows”).
Team leaders will thank Congress for their bipartisan support of FDA and their willingness to supply much needed funding.
Specifically, in next week’s meetings we will encourage the Senate to fund FDA in FY23 at the same level as the bill just reported from the House Ag/FDA Appropriations Subcommittee. That bill, slightly more than the President’s request, would provide FDA with a 10% ($341 million) increase.
Participants from the Alliance—who represent a broad cross-section of FDA stakeholders--then get a few minutes to provide their perspective on the agency’s importance and their priorities for new funding. Ideally, they each can point to a specific example in their own area where increased funding in prior years has made an important difference. Participants should follow up with an example of how and why agency responsibilities are likely to continue to grow.
Here are some additional talking points that are always relevant:
FDA’s large and growing responsibilities
FDA is responsible for 70% of the food supply and all drugs, medical devices, biologics, vaccines, diagnostics, veterinary foods and medicines, dietary supplements, and cosmetics.
The agency oversees products that represent 20% of all consumer spending (more than $2.5 trillion) and touches Americans multiple times each day.
No federal agency’s mission and responsibilities are more affected by changes in science, technology, innovation, commerce, and social trends than FDA.
Science and technology are rapidly changing what is possible
The rapid acceleration of science and technology creates new challenges and new opportunities for FDA, industry, and society.
Innovation in food and medical products are the natural products of competition.
The agency needs an increased budget, more scientific and technical staff, and better analytical tools that support science-based decision-making.
FDA needs to build expertise to match new science;
Data and technology modernization are an essential investment in FDA’s future.
Public health and safety are the heart of FDA’s mission; Americans are the primary beneficiary
Excluding tobacco user fees, federal budget authorization funds about 61 percent of FDA’s budget.
FDA products are manufactured or handled at 275,000 registered facilities, more than half of which are overseas.
Americans want innovation that improves both food and medical products.
Editorial Note: The week’s Analysis and Commentary section was written by the Alliance’s Executive Director, Steven Grossman.
