FDA Gets More Funding
After two years in budget limbo, Congress finally enacted federal spending legislation for fiscal year 2014. In this period of ever-tighter government outlays, the Food and Drug Administration did fairly well in gaining additional funds, along with user fee revenues that had been put on hold.
The legislation appropriates $2.552 billion to FDA, an increase of $217 million over actual 2013 funding levels, which were reduced by last year’s budget sequester. Total funding for FDA, including user fees, is $4.4 billion for the current year. In addition, the legislation restores $80 million to the agency, that portion of user fees set aside under sequestration.
The actual appropriations bill is brief and largely authorizes collection of numerous user fees: $760 million in prescription drug fees, $306 million for generic drugs, $115 million for medical devices, and $20 million for biosimilars. The latter is important because up until now, the agency did not have access to that portion of fees due up front from sponsors to support the extensive advisory activities involved in helping manufacturers navigate the complex biosimilar development and application process.
The legislation appropriates $2.552 billion to FDA, an increase of $217 million over actual 2013 funding levels, which were reduced by last year’s budget sequester. Total funding for FDA, including user fees, is $4.4 billion for the current year. In addition, the legislation restores $80 million to the agency, that portion of user fees set aside under sequestration.
The actual appropriations bill is brief and largely authorizes collection of numerous user fees: $760 million in prescription drug fees, $306 million for generic drugs, $115 million for medical devices, and $20 million for biosimilars. The latter is important because up until now, the agency did not have access to that portion of fees due up front from sponsors to support the extensive advisory activities involved in helping manufacturers navigate the complex biosimilar development and application process.