Harshbarger, Carter question CVM leader

Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee held a hearing on reauthorizing the animal drug user fee, during which new director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, Tracey Forfa, and a panel of representatives from vet industry organizations responded to questions from subcommittee members.

Representatives Buddy Carter (GA-1) and Diana Harshbarger (TN-1 and an APC member) posed several questions to witnesses related to CVM’s GFI 256.

A few highlights:

• Rep. Carter asked Ms. Forfa about the agency’s plan for the implementation and enforcement of GFI 256’s components. She agreed to commit to continue working with stakeholders—representing pharmacists and vets, as well as State Boards of Pharmacy—to clarify the guidance and how it will be enforced, especially for outsourcing facilities. Click here to watch.

• Rep. Harshbarger asked Ms. Forfa about the animal health drug approval process and the concerns with drug shortages and how compounding can help mitigate them. Here’s that exchange.

• Rep. Harshbarger asked Generic Animal Drug Alliance Chair Stephanie Batliner to clarify a statement the latter had made earlier that referred to “illegal” compounding pharmacies. Watch it here.

We’re grateful to Reps. Carter and Harshbarger for their support for pharmacy compounding. You can watch the full hearing here.

The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee (established 1795) in the US House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee. The Energy and Commerce Committee is at the forefront of all issues and policies powering America’s economy, including our global competitive edge in energy, technology, and health care—including oversight of FDA. The committee is led by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and E&C Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ).