Deal To Fight Zika Virus Boosts NIH, CDC Efforts, But Offers No FDA Review Dollars

A $1.1bn agreement between the House and Senate to fund the emergency Zika virus response gives millions of dollars to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIH, and HHS's biodefense unit, but leaves FDA with no extra funds to support reviews of Zika products. The deal would take dollars from Ebola funding and HHS Affordable Care Act efforts as an offset, and is opposed by the president, who says he will veto it.

In a House-Senate conference committee agreement on Zika virus emergency funding reached late June 22, lawmakers agreed to provide $1.1bn in funds to fight the virus to the National Institutes of Health and several other agencies, but not FDA, which is charged with safety and effectiveness reviews of diagnostics and vaccines.

The Zika Response Appropriations Act is part of the 2017 Military Construction/VA Appropriations bill. The final conference report, House Report 114-640, was agreed to by the House, but still requires...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Medtech Insight for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Legislation

Industry Execs Talk Tariff Turbulence During MD&M East

 

During MD&M East in Manhattan last week, a panel of experts discussed how the Trump administration’s trade policy is affecting manufacturing and offered some ideas on what manufacturers can do to help mitigate the chaos.

Debate On FDA User Fee Reauthorization Begins To Take Shape

 
• By 

A battle may be forming over the 2027 FDA user fee reauthorizations. At a conference Friday, Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss supports them for their effectiveness, while Deputy FDA Commissioner Grace Graham echoed criticisms from HHS Sec. Kennedy, among others, in calling for reform to ensure public trust.

Health Secretary Defends Spending Cuts During Senate Hearing On HHS Budget

 
• By 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized administrative cost reductions and defended budget decisions during a Senate hearing on HHS funding. Some senators, however, expressed concerns over the impacts spending cuts had on essential health programs.

Tariffs Threaten Medtech Innovation And US Position As World Leader, Whitaker Tells Lawmakers

 

During his testimony before US senators on the impact of tariffs on critical supply chains, AdvaMed’s Scott Whitaker said the Trump tariffs could jeopardize America’s preeminence in medtech. Other industry experts echoed similar concerns.

More from Policy & Regulation

Zika Virus Test Among 4 New FDA Device Classifications

 
• By 

The FDA plans to announce class II status for four new device types, including tests for the Zika virus and genetic condition Fragile X. This follows earlier announcements and highlights a trend toward diagnostic classifications. The classifications are considered deregulatory, meaning they will hel

FDA Draft Guidance Introduces Electric Submission For Q-Sub Process

 

The US FDA says its updated draft guidance represents one of several steps the agency is taking to develop electronic submission templates for the medical device industry. The document introduces stakeholders to currently available resources for supporting their pre-subs to the agency.

Industry Execs Talk Tariff Turbulence During MD&M East

 

During MD&M East in Manhattan last week, a panel of experts discussed how the Trump administration’s trade policy is affecting manufacturing and offered some ideas on what manufacturers can do to help mitigate the chaos.