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Alzheimer's
growth shows need for increased FDA funding
…Coalition for a Stronger FDA says drug review
programs need more money
WASHINGTON,
March 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new estimate by the
Alzheimer's Association shows that more than five million Americans
are living with Alzheimer's disease -- a 10 percent growth over
previous estimates and a number that could more than triple in the
coming decades unless new treatments and cures are developed for the
debilitating illness.
The new numbers
re-emphasize the need for a strong and adequately funded drug safety
review program at the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that
new Alzheimer's disease drugs can be safely and rapidly brought to
market, according to the Coalition for a Stronger FDA.
"As the
population ages, more and more American families will be touched by
Alzheimer's disease," said Tommy G. Thompson, co-chairman of the
Coalition and the former Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Services. "We simply can't afford for the FDA to be a
bottleneck for new drugs and treatments because it is not adequately
funded."
The Alzheimer's Association estimates that without a cure or effective
treatments to delay the onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease,
the prevalence could soar to 7.7 million people with the disease by
2030 and 16 million by the middle of the century. More information
on the Alzheimer's Association report can be found at
http://www.alz.org/news_and_events_rates_rise.asp.
"The funds
needed by the FDA will be repaid hundreds of times over in health
care savings by getting new Alzheimer's disease drugs quickly and
safely to market," said Stephen McConnell of the Alzheimer's
Association, a member of the Coalition. "It's an investment we can't
afford not to make."
"We are
committed to delivering transformational therapies to Alzheimer's
patients within the next decade," said Daniel Perry of Accelerate
Cure- Treatment for Alzheimer's disease, a member of the Coalition.
"A lack of sufficient FDA appropriations stands in the way of
delivering treatments that could lessen the human and economic tolls
that Alzheimer's exacts on patients and their loved ones."
The Coalition
for a Stronger FDA -- a diverse group of consumer, non-profit,
patient and industry groups -- is committed to working with Congress
and the administration to give the FDA the resources it needs to
fulfill its mission. As part of a five-year process to significantly
expand the agency's budget, the Coalition is seeking $175 million in
increases for 2008 over the fiscal year 2007 budget, including $40
million for drug review programs, $115 million for food safety
programs and $20 million for medical device programs.
The increases
will allow the FDA to build confidence in the public health system,
speed innovation in medical technology, ensure the United States
remains competitive in foreign markets, and boosts public confidence
in the agency and its mission.
Specifically, a
$40 million increase in the drug budget in 2008 would allow the FDA
to provide faster and safer approval of products that are saving
lives and transforming health care; promote new drug technologies
that will revolutionize pharmaceutical therapies and ensure
continued U.S. leadership in drug innovation; enhance the
surveillance capability over new drugs once they reach the market;
and further integrate emerging science into the regulatory process.
About the
Coalition
The Coalition for a Stronger FDA is designed to be a multi-year effort
with the following goals: (1) making sure the FDA has sufficient
resources to protect patients and consumers and (2) maintaining
public confidence and trust in the FDA. Tommy G. Thompson, Donna E.
Shalala and Dr. Louis Sullivan -- the last three Secretaries of the
Department of Health and Human Services -- are the co-chairs of the
Coalition. Member organizations of the Coalition include patient
groups, consumer advocates, public health organizations and
innovative companies. A list of members and more information on the
Coalition can be found at
http://www.fdacoalition.org.
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