Members of both political parties believe that the Food and Drug Administration needs further funding if it is to continue to protect American lives. As it stands now, a report sent out last year by a panel of outside advisers stated the FDA does not have the staff, scientific expertise, or the money to do all it can. The Appropriations subcommittee, which oversees the agency’s funding, met with Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach yesterday to decide just how much money the FDA needs. All in attendance believe the White House suggestion of an increase of three percent in next year’s allocated budget is not nearly enough. Dr. von Eschenbach said the agency wanted to hire an additional 700 people this year, but the proposed White House budget won’t even cover expected increased costs.
Citing the heparin controversy, Dr. von Eschenbach said the FDA wants to open three new offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China. They will increase their Chinese staff to 13 with five native Chinese hired locally. This will hopefully lessen the chances that tainted products, such as the blood-thinner heparin, will make it to American markets.
It isn’t only tainted heparin, but a plethora of other items, that are investigated by the FDA. Pharmaceuticals, food, medical devices, and even cosmetics are OK’d by the agency. Without the necessary funding, we may see an increase in the numbers of people injured and killed by products that had no business being sold, or given, to consumers.
If you or a loved one has been injured or sickened by a defective product or pharmaceutical that could have been removed from the market by the FDA, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.
