NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

DINGELL JOINS CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS IN REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO REAUTHORIZING PUBLIC HEALTH LEGISLATION

Washington, D.C.— On Friday, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce joined with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Harry Reid (D-NV) in sending the following letter to Andrew C. von Eschenbach, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), affirming their commitment to reaching a conference report to reauthorize the drug and device user fee programs, the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, and the Pediatric Research Equity Act, and provide important new authorities to improve post-market drug safety, establish a clinical trial registry and results database, and improve food safety.

Also on Friday, Commissioner von Eschenbach sent a letter urging Congress to reauthorize these programs by September 21.

"I look forward to continued progress in our efforts to provide FDA with the resources it needs to safeguard the public health and to ensure that American consumers have timely access to safe and effective prescription drugs and medical devices," said Dingell.

Speaker Pelosi said, “We will complete action on this legislation so the dedicated federal employees of the FDA will not face termination notices. It is also critical that Congress pass the strongest drug safety provision so the American people can have complete confidence that prescription drugs are safe. Drug safety should be a priority of the Congress, and a top goal of the drug industry.”

Senator Kennedy said, “Both the public and FDA's dedicated employees should rest assured that we will reauthorize the important user fee and pediatric drug programs. The American people also urgently need improved drug and food safety, and we will work though August to produce an FDA bill that addresses all of these major concerns, for quick passage when we return in September.”

Majority Leader Reid said, "Both chambers have passed legislation reauthorizing vital FDA programs and both bills contain other key improvements that will improve the lives of American patients and consumers. Chairmen Kennedy and Dingell have worked tirelessly in engaging the other side of the aisle to ensure that this legislation is finalized and sent to the President in a timely fashion. Speaker Pelosi and I have committed to doing all we can to help in that endeavor. We look forward to working over the August recess to finalize a package that will revitalize and improve the FDA."

August 2, 2007 letter