DeLauro Urges FDA to Accept Recommendations On Direct-to-Consumer Advertising

DeLauro Urges FDA to Accept Recommendations On Direct-to-Consumer Advertising

- Major medical association votes for temporary moratorium on ads -

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today said the FDA should accept the recommendation of the American Medical Association, which yesterday voted to impose a temporary moratorium on advertising of new prescription drugs. DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, with jurisdiction and oversight responsibilities of the FDA and its budget. In last year's Agriculture Appropriations Bill, DeLauro worked to include funding that doubles the annual funding for review of direct to consumer ads by FDA.

"Increasingly, the rush to promote new drugs has overshadowed critical public health concerns. Yesterday, the American Medical Association reversed this trend and took a commonsense action that will put public health decisions where they should be - between physicians and patients," said DeLauro. "I applaud this action on direct-to-consumer advertising and urge the FDA to accept these recommendations."

Last year, DeLauro and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-8) introduced The Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2005. The legislation would increase safeguards in direct-to-consumer advertising immediately following FDA approval of a new drug for sale by requiring a three year moratorium on DTC ads with a possible waiver if the Secretary determines that the product is of affirmative value to public health, among other things.

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/June/DTC_FDA_recommendations_6_15_06.html