FDA could use more appropriations, von Eschenbach tells Senate
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
FDA could easily absorb an additional $100 million in funding over that proposed by the Bush Administration for fiscal 2009, but not the full $375 million increase recommended by the FDA Science Board in February, Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach tells the Senate Appropriations Committee at an April 15 hearing. "I do believe we could absorb [$100 million] quite rapidly and ... effectively," but above that level "it would require greater stewardship to be sure we could implement those dollars as rapidly and effectively as we need to," he said. The administration's proposal provides a $51 million increase over 2008 in direct appropriations to FDA, bringing U.S. treasury funding of the agency to $1.77 billion (1"The Gray Sheet" March 3, 2008, p. 13)