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Alliance Commends Senate Committee for Increase in FDA Funding

Published July 17, 2007

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Alliance for Aging Research Commends Senate Committee for Increase in FDA Funding

July 17th, 2007, Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for Aging Research today commends the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee for including a $186 million increase for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill. This increase over the Agency’s Fiscal Year 2007 funding level will begin to reverse the budget shortfalls it has experienced in recent years.

The Alliance is particularly pleased with the emphasis placed on sustaining the FDA’s Critical Path Initiative. The $22.9 million set aside for Critical Path will allow for better evaluation and delivery of breakthrough treatments to patients suffering from a host of age-related diseases and conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. It also will enable the FDA to more accurately gauge the safety and efficacy of new therapies and technologies in the future.

Beginning in 2011, America’s Baby Boomers start to become the largest Medicare generation in history. If this generation ages with the same incidence of chronic health problems as today’s elderly, their burden of disease will cripple the health care system. “It is critical that policymakers make a serious commitment to reinvesting in the FDA now,” said Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research. “We applaud Chairman Kohl and Ranking Member Bennett’s efforts on behalf of the FDA and believe that their continued leadership will help ensure the health and well-being of our aging population.”

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Founded in 1986, the Alliance for Aging Research is a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the health and independence of aging Americans through public and private funding of medical research and geriatric education. The Alliance combines the interest of top scientists, public officials, business executives, and foundation leaders to promote a greater national investment in research and new technologies that will prepare our nation for the coming senior boom, and improve the quality of life for today’s older generation.

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