FDA Should Reduce Expensive Antibiotic Testing and Charge Fees Which More Closely Reflect Cost of Certification.
Abstract
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifies batches of antibiotics, insulin, and color additives. Certification is the testing of batch samples for compliance with established standards and the issuing of certificates for batches that pass the tests. FDA charges fees to manufacturers to cover its cost of certification. The current level of antibiotic testing is not necessary. The number of batches failing certification tests has historically been low. Batch certification is an expensive product assurance strategy and other less costly control mechanisms are available. Further, GAO believes FDA should revise the method for determining the fees charged manufacturers for the cost of certification. GAO makes several recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to resolve these matters. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 28, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA108434
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office