Washington, DC (Nov. 13)—Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) plans to introduce the Food and Drug Globalization Act discussion draft as a bill early next year. Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Dingell has been active in this issue for some time, introducing the discussion draft last spring and a revised version in July. Among other things, the Act would enhance FDA's authority and increase funds for its inspections and compliance programs.

“We need to ensure the safety of our food and drug supply in a global economy,” he said in a statement issued to the Democratic caucus on Nov. 6, 2008. “Already, I’ve released draft legislation to strengthen and adequately fund FDA, thereby improving the safety of food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics. Work on the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act continues. I will introduce this bill early next year and intend to move it through the Committee with the utmost speed.”

Dingell’s statement was part of a longer letter to the Democratic caucus that focused on his desire to serve another term as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) is challenging the chairmanship, which will be decided when the 111th Congressional session begins in January 2009.

Dingell also has been active in the area of drug import safety, sponsoring H.R. 3610, the Food and Drug Import Safety Act of 2007. This Act would create a user fee on imported drug and food shipments. Funds generated by the fee would be used to hire additional personnel to perform inspections worldwide to increase the analysis of drug and food imports. Funds would also be used to test import samples and research new testing techniques. See PharmTech’s coverage of this issue.