House Committee Inflates FDA Budget For Drug Safety, Ad Review

The House Appropriations Committee added almost $5.9 mil. to FDA's fiscal year 2006 budget during a markup of the Agriculture Appropriations bill May 25.

The committee unanimously approved a managers' amendment that would allot FDA an additional $5 mil. in funding for "the highest priority drug safety needs."

A "detailed spending plan" for the drug safety funds would be required within 30 days of the bill's enactment.

The bill also would increase funding for FDA's review of direct-to-consumer advertisements for drugs by $884,000 - double the current level.

"Because staff levels for these activities...have remained flat for some time, despite the growth of direct-to-consumer ads, the committee believes this increase is needed," the managers' amendment said.

The measure brings Center for Drug Evaluation & Research funding to $519.8 mil. under the bill.

FDA's 2006 budget would total $1.48 bil., which represents a $36 mil. increase over the FY 2005 level, but falls $14 mil. short of President Bush's budget request.

The bill includes an amendment, attached by the Agriculture Subcommittee, that would withhold 5% of funds from FDA's central offices until the head of the agency testifies before the subcommittee on the President's budget request (¹ (Also see "House Approps Subcommittee Slaps FDA On The Wrist For Crawford Absence" - Pink Sheet, 23 May, 2005.), p. 11).

Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition and related field activities appropriations would be $444.1 mil., a 1% increase over the current fiscal year.

The Appropriations Committee voted 31-25 to reject an amendment offered by Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) that would empower FDA to require post-marketing studies and mandate label changes for drugs.

The spending bill will be introduced on the House floor following a one-week Memorial Day recess.

The Senate Appropriations/Agriculture Subcommittee has not yet marked up a bill.