Political Quotes

“What is the Food and Drug Administration? It is a relatively small Federal agency with a huge responsibility. We spend about $1.7 billion a year on the Food and Drug Administration in a huge Federal budget. This tiny agency is responsible for the safety of about 25 percent of all that we purchase as Americans. They have responsibility when it comes to drugs, devices, biologics, food, veterinary medicines, all sorts of things, equipment. This small agency has a huge responsibility. We give them more and more things to do, and we trust the integrity of the Food and Drug Administration. We believe the Food and Drug Administration giving its approval means something. We can trust it. They have reached a decision that something we are about to buy is safe and effective. For most Americans, that is the seal of approval. How do they reach that level of integrity? They set up advisory committees. These are the wisest men and women they can find who take a close look at each one of the things they review and inspect to determine whether they truly are safe and effective. It is kind of a jury. The jury may be 10, 20, 30 different people who sit and make a decision. These decisions are critically important. I don't think I overstate it when I say these decisions are life-and-death decisions.”