The Subcommittee proposed increasing the FDA’s budget by $186 million, including $33.2 million for the Critical Path Initiative and drug safety measures.  The Subcommittee’s bill is $122 million above the President’s budget proposal and significantly above the House subcommittee’s proposal.  Senators Kohl and Bennett’s bill represents the most significant increase in the FDA’s budget in recent memory. 

PAN’s hope is that an increased budget for the FDA will eventually lead to a quicker discovery of and patient access to much-needed new treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease.  Currently, “state-of-the-art” Parkinson's treatment is based on a 40-year-old pharmaceutical.  All Parkinson’s medications only provide symptomatic relief, and lose efficacy over time.

“This budget increase will help speed the drug development pipeline,” said PAN CEO Amy Comstock Rick.  “In particular, we applaud Senator Kohl and Senator Bennett for providing much-needed funding for the Critical Path Initiative.  This bill will provide FDA resources to fund research that may lead to key discoveries for Parkinson’s disease, such as biomarkers and better animal models.  This funding is essential for hastening discovery of better treatments and a cure for people living with Parkinson’s disease.”

The Subcommittee’s actions will add significant new funds for ensuring quicker approval of safe and effective drugs and devices.  $17 million in increased funding is expected to go to the Critical Path Initiative and a further $16.2 million for drug safety.