108th Congress

Federal Biodefense Readiness
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

July 24, 2003

Witnesses:

• Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), accompanied by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)
• Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Dr. Mark McClellan, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The purpose of this hearing was to receive information on the state of readiness of Federal biodefense activities, and to assess the agencies' manpower needs and capabilities in light of rumors that efforts to recruit and retain scientific experts are not working. In particular, Members wanted to know the threat status of a potential bioterrorist attack; the status of relevant activities; what is being done and what needs exist (personnel, funding, other); agency collaborations with the intelligence community; the safety of the food supply; and the extent of recruitment and retention problems. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Chairman, noted the Committee's interest in addressing agencies' personnel issues. It was a very cordial hearing.

Dr. Gerberding discussed the current status of CDC preparations, provided a snapshot of the smallpox vaccination plan, and spoke of CDC's efforts to recruit and retain scientists.

Dr. McClellen spoke of FDA's role in biodefense, including food and drug safety, the agency's implementation of food security provisions required by the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act, and efforts with industry to increase the vaccine stockpile and evaluate new and older drugs for their usefulness in treating bioterrorist agents. He noted enhanced retention efforts for scientific personnel and FDA pay banding authorities.

Dr. Zerhouni highlighted NIH's biodefense funding in Fiscal Year 2003 and agency efforts to address and expand research related to chemical, radiological, and nuclear threats, as well as biological threats. He noted NIH's strategic plan for biodefense; progress on smallpox and anthrax vaccines; and the activities of the trans-NIH task force on biodefense aimed at evaluating research-based and evidence-based approaches to chemical, radiological, and mental health consequences of these threats. In addition, Dr. Zerhouni said that although current levels of scientific expertise in biodefense are sufficient, NIH is focused on attracting new, and retaining existing, talent as a part of its strategic plan.