FDA negotiations with the medical device industry over user fees may get a little relief if a bill granting the watchdog agency a boost to its 2012 budget gets the green light from Congress.
As part of a bill from a House/Senate conference negotiation this week, the FDA’s pocketbook would not only avoid getting a trim – the agency would get a $50 million boost over last year’s budget.
Although the FDA’s device arm, the Center for Devices & Radiological Health, would only see a small bump, it could still take a lot of pressure off the agency’s negotiations over the fees industry pays to get its devices reviewed.