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Press Release

GPhA Says Senate Increase in FDA Funding is “Step in the Right Direction”

Washington, DC, July 16, 2010 - The following statement was issued by the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) regarding Senate Appropriations Committee approval of increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

“We’re encouraged by the additional $4 million in FY 2011 funding for the FDA Office of Generic Drugs (OGD). The added money brings OGD funding for FY11 to $55 million. We appreciate the efforts of Senators Kohl and Brownback to provide FDA with needed resources.

This increased funding is a step in the right direction to ensure that OGD receives the additional resources it desperately needs to bring safe, effective and affordable generic medicines to consumers. With generics saving consumers and the health care system $1 billion every three days, an investment in OGD will reap significant dividends. The time has come to reduce the current nearly two-year backlog in the approval of generic applications.

GPhA is strongly advocating for increased Congressional funding for OGD and also remains committed to a generic drug user fee program that works for consumers. We are pleased that the Senate and House Committees have both called for increases and hope that as the bills go to conference, Congress approves the highest level possible.”

GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic industry. Generic pharmaceuticals filled 74 percent of prescriptions dispensed last year in the U.S. but consumed just 22 percent of the total drug spending. Additional information is available at gphaonline.org.

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