Sequester cuts threaten FDA's access to industry user fees

Sequester cuts looming over the FDA are also giving devicemakers a reason to lose sleep: According to AdvaMed, the user fees that industry players contribute to the agency, money that currently helps the FDA retain staff and support programs, may now take a hit to the tune of about $2.9 million. J.C. Scott, AdvaMed senior executive vice president, said the organization "believes that FDA should be properly funded and supports correcting the language in the sequester to prevent any further restriction on FDA's access to industry user fees." FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said a decision had not yet been made regarding what would happen to the user fee money that has been cut and can't be used by the agency. Article