AVMA applauds passage of legislation to enhance the review process of new and generic animal drugs
(WASHINGTON, DC) October 12, 2023—In the latest government spending bill, Congress included and passed legislation that reauthorizes the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act (AGDUFA). The legislation is up for reauthorization every five years and is essential to ensuring a predictable roadmap to market for innovative animal drugs and generic animal drugs.
The AVMA-endorsed law utilizes the collection of user fees to enhance the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine's (FDA CVM) review of pioneer and generic animal drugs. During the reauthorization process, the AVMA provided verbal and written comments to the FDA CVM highlighting the potential of these programs to fill the need for veterinarians to have more safe and effective animal drugs at their disposal.
"Building a robust pipeline of innovative new animal drugs and ensuring a strong generic industry is vital to veterinary medicine," said Dr. Lori Teller, AVMA Immediate Past President. "As a result of the legislation, we will have access to more safe and effective animal drugs to treat the animals under our care. It was an honor to testify before Congress on this important issue and it highlights how critical it is for veterinarians to be part of the discussion during the legislative process. The AVMA is grateful to lawmakers for recognizing how these user fee programs support animal welfare by increasing the number of affordable, safe, and effective treatment options readily available to veterinarians."
Earlier this year, Dr. Lori Teller testified before the House and Energy Commerce Committee to emphasize the importance of reauthorizing the ADUFA and the AGDUFA to the veterinary profession.
Serving more than 105,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health.