FDA Chief Asks Congress For More Funding To Improve Safety

Boston (dbTechno) - The head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Andrew von Eschenbach has wrote to Congress asking for $275 million in immediate funding. He states that this funding is needed to improve safety of imported drugs, food, as well as medical devices.

Von Eschenbach also stated in the letter, according to the New York Times, that the money would be going towards thing susch as new foreign offices. This would allow for increased foreign inspections outside of the U.S.

The FDA has been under a lot of stress and scrutiny following the entire heparin debacle.

Since then, many in Congress have sided with the FDA, stating they needed more money in order to keep our imported drugs, food, and medical devices safe.

Initially, the FDA, including von Eschenbach, did not request an increased budget. That has apparently changed though, as he sees the money as a ncessity at of now.