Mikulski Announces Increased Funds in FY 2015 Funding Bill for FDA to Protect Food, Drug, and Medical Device Safety in America

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies fiscal year (FY) 2015 funding legislation that was approved this week by the full Appropriations Committee includes increased funding for the FDA to pay for food safety activities and better protect the medical supply chain.

"This is smart funding for a stronger economy and safer country," Senator Mikulski said. "In recent years, we've increased the FDA's responsibility to ensure the safety of our food supply. And in this increasingly global market, we've relied on FDA more than ever to make sure the drugs and medical devices we depend upon are safe and effective. We've also asked FDA to help protect Americans from unsafe tobacco products. With all these increased responsibilities, must come increased resources."

The bill provides $2.588 billion for the Food and Drug Administration, which is $36 million above fiscal year 2014. This includes increases of $23 million to continue implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

To help combat the ever-growing marketplace for counterfeit drugs, the legislation includes $4.82 million to increase the number of agents in the U.S. and posted abroad to conduct counterfeit drug investigations including undercover purchases, prosecute criminal actors and enhance FDA's cybercrime capabilities to target those who sell counterfeit drugs online.

The Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety of products accounting for 25 cents of every dollar spent by consumers including foods, drugs, biologics, medical devices and consumer goods. The 10,300 federal employees who work for the FDA in Maryland make sure drugs are safe and effective, ensure the safety of our food supply, and get important health and safety information to doctors, patients and consumers that can save lives and save money. The FDA's gold standard in upholding drug, device and food safety creates private sector jobs.

"When the FDA gives food, drugs or medical devices its safety seal of approval, that means something here in the United States and it means something in Bangladesh," Senator Mikulski said. "When the FDA gives its thumbs up to a product made here in America, you can sell it in America and sell it around the world. That's smart funding."

The FDA is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. About 8,200 of FDA employees live in Maryland.

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