 |
FREE Natural Health Newsletter
Receive natural health product reviews, recommendations and alerts.
Instant download of 20+ free health reports and exclusive interviews.
Join over 1.2 million monthly readers.
|
 |
|
(NaturalNews) The FDA does not inspect medical device manufacturing plants as frequently as safety or the law requires, investigators from the General Accountability Office (GAO) have reported to Congress.
"Americans depend on the FDA to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medical products, including medical devices, manufactured throughout the world," said GAO Health Care Director Marcia Crosse in her testimony to a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee. "However, our findings regarding inspections of medical device manufacturers indicate weaknesses,"
The law requires that within the United States, plants that manufacture high-risk medical devices such as pacemakers be inspected once every two years, but the FDA is inspecting such plants only once every three years. Manufacturing plants outside of the United States are inspected only once every six years.
The law does not specify how frequently the FDA should inspect foreign plants.
According the GAO report, the low inspection frequency arises from a critical lack of funding, which has also led to infrequent inspections of foreign drug manufacturing plants.
A recent report from the FDA's science board warned that underfunding is causing the agency to fall behind on monitoring new scientific advances and emerging threats, such as nanotechnology.
The FDA is responsible for regulating most food and cosmetics sold in the United States, in addition to all drugs and medical devices. Altogether, the products that the FDA regulates account for 25 percent of the money spent in the United States each year.
Other witnesses told the House subcommittee that the FDA needs more funding to solve its problems. Former FDA chief counsel told Congress that the FDA's $2 billion annual budget needs to be doubled by 2010.
FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach agreed that the agency needs more money, but said he prefers to identify "target areas" that need the funds, rather than just increasing the FDA's general budget.
"You don't just throw money [at the FDA]," von Eschenbach said. "It's as important to figure out how you're going to spend it."
Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|
 |
Why green-lipped mussel oil makes krill oil obsoleteThe Health Ranger has replaced fish oils, krill oil and flaxseed oil with THIS. What is THIS?
Click here to find out more
This is the 'new' marine omega-3 oil everyone is talking about. Click above to find out why.
|
Over 100 ways to survive and thrive during the unfolding economic crisisThis eight-CD audio seminar by the Health Ranger reveals hard-core financial protection strategies for surviving the next wave of the global financial crisis.
Click here to protect yourself now
"Guaranteed to deliver the most powerful financial protection advice you've ever seen or your money back!" - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
|
Recommended Products Related to This Article*:Revealed: Natural Health Solutions (free) Free summary of book by Mike Adams for learning censored natural health remedies
Free download: Selling Sickness (summary) Read the best book on disease mongering for learning the truth about Big Pharma
Additional Products of Interest to AllBreville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL☯ Simply the best juicer in the world for fast, easy juicing
Paraliminal Audio Courses☯ Powerful mind-enhancing audio therapy for reprogramming your mind for a new future
How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days☯ Health Ranger guide to reversing diabetes for reversing type-2 diabetes
Boku Superfood High-potency superfood powder for preventing numerous diseases
Preparedness Tools Natural News Bundle☯ For preparedness and safety: 60% off for preparing for natural disasters
Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier☯ #1 personal water purifier for clean, pristine water in seconds
Healing Cancer From the Inside Out (DVD) Amazing, eye-opening cancer documentary for anyone wanting to know the truth on cancer
Zeitgeist: Addendum - Must-See Movie A shocking documentary about money for people who wan to know the real truth
The Genie In Your Genes by Dawson Church A free, downloadable summary of this book for learning about the biology of intention
Spirulina Pacifica Pure, pristine spirulina superfood for cancer prevention, alkalizing, immune func
The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton A free download of Biology of Belief for learning about the mind-biology connection
Living Fuel SuperBerry Ultimate Delicious superfood meal powder for disease prevention, antioxidant boost
The Weiss Method for Heart Disease☯ How to reverse heart disease naturally for heart disease, high cholesterol
Appetite for Profit (free download) Free download summary of this top book for discovering the truth about food companies
Hair Soap A pure, simple and chemical-free shampoo for washing hair without chemicals
Exposed! The Toxic Chemistry of Products Free summary of this shocking book for learning the truth about toxic products
Aloe Vera 100 Pure, dried 100% aloe vera gel flakes for sludge blood, IBS, Crohn's disease
Katadyn MicroPur Water Purifier Tablets☯ The best water purification tablets for purifying almost any water source
Vitamineral Green from Healthforce Nutrient-dense superfood powder for disease prevention, body alkalizing & more
Fucoxanthin with PinnoThin Natural appetite suppressant for obesity, overweight, overeating
Zyflamend Powerful anti-inflammatory herbal formula for arthritis, joint pain, inflammation
Nascent Iodine Miraculous nascent iodine solution for thyroid function, Alzheimer's, brain func.
Blood Support Halts growth of cancer tumors for breast cancer and all cancers
Amaz-a-Power Amazing wild berry tincture from Peru for eye & brain protection, cancer prevention
P-73 Oreganol Potent source of wildcrafted oregano oil for parasites, heart disease, immune func.
Ocean Minerals Pure Magnesium Oil #1 product for magnesium therapy for back pain, heart health, muscle health
MGC-5 Mushroom Extracts Potent extracts of medicinal mushrooms for reversing cancer, boosting immune function
Better Than Roasted - Macadamia Nuts☯ The most delicious raw nut spread ever for heart health, circulatory health
* Products do NOT pay to be listed here. These are genuine, independent recommendations by the Health Ranger
☯ Products with this symbol are sold by NaturalNews or its affiliates and earn revenues for NaturalNews
|
|