A proposed budget increase for the Food and Drug Administration isn't big enough, critics say.
The budget proposed by President Bush for fiscal year 2009 would increase the FDA's budget by $130 million. The overall request seeks $2.4 billion for the year, up 5.7 percent from the previous year.
The budget request proposes that the bulk of the $130 million increase for FY 2009 be used for food safety initiatives and monitoring the safety of drugs and medical devices already on the market.
That's not going to be enough to bring about needed improvements in the FDA, contends The Alliance for a Stronger FDA, an organization that boasts more than 170 members, including consumer, patient, professional and research groups, industry trade associations and individuals.
A statement from the alliance said it is disappointed at the proposed FDA budget, calling instead for "budget levels that strengthen the agency and reflect the realities documented by a number of recent assessments."
The budget proposal submitted by the administration designates $1.7 billion for the FDA from the federal budget and anticipates $628 million in funding derived from fees from drug and medical device companies that submit applications for product testing and approval.
The alliance is proposing a federal contribution of $2.1 billion, which it said would provide resources to start rebuilding its infrastructure and fund safety programs.
That increase is less than 20 percent more than the current year's appropriation.
"Three independent reviews, including the FDA's own Science Board, have determined the FDA is in critical need of significant new resources," said alliance spokesperson William Hubbard, a former deputy commissioner of the FDA. "The amount in the administration's proposed budget is not only inadequate, it is barely half of what FDA needs just to keep pace with inflation."
"The FDA's ability to fulfill its mission could be in serious jeopardy if additional increases aren't enacted. This proposed budget would likely force the agency into further staff decreases at a time when it is urgent to increase staff," he added.