For several years it has been clear that funding limitations are impairing the FDA’s ability to attract and retain qualified clinicians and scientists to review applications for new drugs and biologics, and to support their internal research and analysis concerning new drug development, manufacturing and monitoring technologies – particularly for biologic medicines. In addition, the FDA hasn’t been able to update its information technology systems to maximize staff productivity. (I suspect some people will be tempted to comment on the “productivity” of government employees, but I have found the FDA’s professional staff generally very qualified and hard working.)
On Tuesday, the Energy and Commerce Committee in the US House of Representatives held a hearing about the FDA’s ability to adequately oversee foreign production of medicines being sold in the US. This was part of the ongoing dialogue that was heightened by the contaminated heparin from China. (The Government Accountability Office also released their study about foreign drug inspections on Tuesday.)
What I found interesting about reports from the hearing was its predictable political theatrical aspects: Chairman Dingell excoriating the FDA Commissioner for not admitting that the FDA needs more resources, and Commissioner von Eschenbach responded that he had asked for more funds to increase foreign inspections. But he also adhered to the Administration’s rhetoric that reforms are needed in addition to some extra funding. As the NY Times reports him saying, “the solution needs to be much more comprehensive than simply inspecting a facility.”
While this hearing focused on foreign inspections – which are clearly a concern – I believe the FDA also needs to step up their monitoring of medicines once they are already here in the US. While counterfeit medicines don’t appear to be a major problem in the US (at least yet), the continuing news reports of problems with generic medicines are worrisome – including a Wall Street Journal report that including the information that one patient’s generic pills had no markings, which is a violation of FDA regulations.
The FDA’s budget, staffing and technology challenges, together with the growing domestic and international quality and safety problems with various medicines raises concerns about how well prepared the FDA is to review and monitor biosimilar medicines and genomic based diagnostics.
I believe that Congressman Dingell is right, and that Commissioner von Eschenbach needs to be a stronger advocate for increased funding for the FDA, even if it means tearing up the Administration’s script he’s told to stick with. This Administration has only another 9 months of shelf life, so he doesn’t need to worry about being fired for speaking off-script – unless he is planning on running for office and wants to remain the good graces of the Republican Party. And if this is the case, then he is violating his duty as FDA Commissioner to fulfill the agency’s mission:
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.
I’ll get off my soapbox now, and check to see if the soap that came in it was made in China.
