Wayne Allard: “Today I wish to speak on an issue that is weighing on the minds of many Members of this body, employees of the Federal…”

“Today I wish to speak on an issue that is weighing on the minds of many Members of this body, employees of the Federal Government, and patients in the United States. Many people working for the FDA are faced with the possibility of receiving a reduction in force notice if new user fee legislation is not passed quickly. The FDA needs the necessary resources so that they may approve drug applications within a timely manner. Being able to access new drugs can allow patients to live fuller lives, and in some cases, save them from death. I am frustrated by what I have seen as a desire to have a partisan debate on an issue of liability. We have been working for some time now on a bipartisan level to ensure that we have a bill passed by Friday. We should not be throwing partisan politics into the debate during the 11th hour. Because I am committed to working on a bipartisan level, I continue to hope that we will have legislation passed to ensure that patients can get the drugs that they desperately need. Some believe that the Senate position on liability may have favored the pharmaceutical companies. However, I am of the opinion that the House position favored the trial lawyers. Should we make any changes we should also ensure that any labeling change authority would not provide for an opportunity for partiality by the courts. I strongly believe that every individual should be allowed to argue equally for their particular case in court.”