FDAnews
www.fdanews.com/articles/96812-house-increases-fda-funding-allows-drug-importation

House Increases FDA Funding, Allows Drug Importation

August 6, 2007

The House passed a bill late Aug. 2 by a vote of 237-18 that would provide $1.69 billion for the FDA for fiscal 2008, and faces a veto threat from the president because of its high spending levels and a provision allowing drug importation.

The bill, H.R. 3161, includes a 5.5 percent increase overall from the president’s fiscal 2008 budget request, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said. The bill increases the FDA’s budget by nearly $62 million more than the president’s request, she added.

The administration “strongly opposes” the bill because it includes “an irresponsible and excessive level of spending and includes other objectionable provisions,” according to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The bill, which funds the Department of Agriculture and includes FDA spending, contains a nearly $1 billion increase over the president’s request, the office added.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) offered an amendment to reduce discretionary funding in the bill by 5.5 percent across the board, but it failed by a 284-146 vote.

The administration also opposes a provision in the bill that would bar the FDA from using appropriated funds to prevent individuals, wholesalers and pharmacists from importing FDA-approved prescription drugs, according to OMB. The bill would discourage innovation and lacks protections to ensure the imported drugs are safe and effective, OMB said.

The Senate version of the bill, S.1859, is pending consideration by the full Senate.

More information on the House bill, H.R.3161, is available at thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z ?d110:H.R.
3161:
. More information on the Senate bill, S.1859, can be found at thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d11
0:S.1859:
.