ADVOCATES HIRE FIRM TO LOBBY FOR INCREASED FDA FUNDING

The FDA Alliance, a coalition of former agency officials, activists, industry associations and companies, has hired the law firm Patton Boggs to help the group advocate for increased FDA appropriations.

The group believes that the agency needs increased funding to properly do its job and wants to use the firm's expertise to ensure an increase over the agency's $1.8 billion 2006 budget.

"FDA does not have the resources to meet its existing responsibilities, prepare for the avalanche of sophisticated new science in medicine and food and assure our nation's defense against bioterrorism," Diane Dorman, a founding board member of the FDA Alliance and vice president of public policy at the National Organization for Rare Disorders, said.

"The coalition's 76 members now have experienced counsel in making the case to the administration and Congress for additional funds for the FDA," Wayne Pines, an FDA Alliance board member, former FDA associate commissioner and president of regulatory services and healthcare at APCO Worldwide, added.

Stuart Pape, a former FDA associate chief counsel for foods and executive assistant to the commissioner, and Ed Newberry, a former senior Hill staffer, will lead Patton Boggs' efforts.