Com. Kessler on drug prices
Executive Summary
"There are drugs, to be honest with you, that I do have concerns about their price -- it's an access question," FDA Commissioner Kessler told the House Appropriations/Agriculture Subcommittee March 24. Prodded by Rep. Durbin (D-Ill.), Kessler said FDA could work on approving drugs more quickly, "but unless people have access to them, what good is it." The issue has "global implications," he added, asking, "who can afford AZT on the continent of Africa?" Nonetheless, Kessler stressed that he wants to preserve FDA's focus on safety and efficacy and "to stay away from economic issues".