Dear Colleague,

I would like to direct your attention to a recent Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive health-care poll showing that a majority of the American public is concerned about the FDA’s ability to ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs and 82% of Americans believe that the FDA is influenced by politics.

The numbers speak for themselves. It is time for FDA reform.  I will be introducing a bill shortly that will restore confidence in the FDA as the watchdog of public health.

Sincerely,

s/
Rep. Ed Markey    

Americans Growing Less Confident In FDA's Job on Safety, Poll Shows
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE
May 24, 2006

“Americans have become less confident in the Food and Drug Administration's ability to ensure the safety and efficacy of new prescription drugs.
Fifty-eight percent of people in a new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive health-care poll said they feel the FDA does a fair or poor job in this regard, while 36% said the agency does a good or excellent job.
Two years ago, the numbers were reversed: then, 56% felt the FDA did a good or excellent job in the ensuring safety and efficacy of new prescription drugs, while 37% felt the agency did a fair or poor job in this regard.
Of 2,371 adults surveyed in the latest poll, 80% said they are somewhat or very concerned about the agency's ability to make independent decisions that will ensure patients have access to safe and effective medicines.
The poll, conducted online May 12-16, found that 82% feel the FDA's decisions are influenced to some extent or a great extent by politics rather than medical science.”
For complete results of the poll please go to: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114831296787359612-uW9Ve_ZtSkQ20zMT5k2fNvR14Uw_20060622.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top