Budget gives FDA modest boost

The FY17 budget bill that is expected to be passed by Congress this week includes modest increases for FDA, including about $21 million for medical products. The bill will provide $10 million for FDA to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging health threats, including the Ebola and Zika viruses, domestically and internationally and to develop necessary medical countermeasures and vaccines,” according to a House report.

The bill also increases funding for medical product safety initiatives by $10.9 million, including $2.5 million to support the Precision Medicine Initiative...