Jill Wechsler

Instead of just blasting the agency, though, the Obama administration is providing added resources to enhance FDA's oversight of product safety. Congress finally approved legislation in March 2009 to appropriate funding for the government's 2009 fiscal year, which began in October 2008. The bill gives FDA more than $2 billion in appropriated funds, a $325 million increase over 2008. After adding in user fees, the agency will have a record $2.6 billion budget. The Alliance for a Stronger FDA cheered this "important down payment" to meet pressing agency needs. Whether FDA's budget continues to increase remains to be seen as the Obama administration rolls out details of its FY 2010 budget.

The FY 2009 budget includes $413 million for drugs and $184 million for biologics. User fees add $500 million to provide a total of $1 billion for drug oversight. That includes $41 million set aside for the Office of Generic Drugs, $16 million to support the agency's Critical Path Initiative, and $6.6 million to enhance the review of direct-to-consumer drug advertising.

Global oversight

In Washington This Month

The Globalization Act would authorize FDA to inspect foreign drug manufacturers every two years, block questionable imports, and crack down on those who fail to comply. Regulatory parity is sought to ensure that lax oversight and fewer overseas inspections are not a reason for manufacturers to shift operations from the US to Asia. All registered manufacturers and importers, including generic drugmakers, will have to pay new user fees to support the broader oversight program, and manufacturers will ensure the integrity of product supply chains through ePedigrees. Current law requires FDA to inspect drug manufacturers every two years, but the agency has never had sufficient resources to do so. The legislation aims to avoid that dilemma by establishing a detailed process for FDA to calculate fees every year to meet program costs.