FDA Seeks Funding for Inspecting Foreign Products

The New York Times caption at page A13, May 14, 2008, provocatively reads "F.D.A. Chief Writes Congress for Money." The F.D.A. request may provide insight into Congress' willingness to solve serious American health system problems.

Contaminated human food, drugs (most recently heparin), and other related health products (including pet food) from foreign sources have become a major threat to Americans' health. The article notes that the request for $275 million went to Senator Arlen Spector, who had previously written to FDA Commissioner von Eschenbach asking how much money the F.D.A required to protect the public health, and outlined a spending plan which included opening new foreign offices, increasing inspections and constructing new databases to follow drug hazards.

Perhaps Congress will obtain a verifying Congressional Budget Office estimate of the actual amount the F.D.A. needs to do its job (meeting the agenda which Congress has set for it) since, even with von Eschenbach's apparent assertion of independence from Administration budget priorities, it is not clear how much of an infusion is necessary on an ongoing basis. Perhaps, too, Congress will appropriately fund the F.D.A. on a regular basis rather than provide it with legislative mandates which cannot be carried out because of inadequate and politically cynical Congressional funding.

The resolution of this issue will affect the health safety of Americans. Once the spotlight of the 2008 national election has been turned-off, we should keep on eye on our Representatives' and Senators' votes and monitor the new Administration spendable funding for the F.D.A.. In an environment of financial crisis, Congress and political leadership, like old dogs, may prefer their old tricks.