President's FY 2009 Budget Advances Food And Medical Product Safety, And The Safety Of FDA-Regulated Imports (Medical News Today)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is requesting nearly $2.4 billion to protect and promote public health as part of the President's fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget-a 5.7 percent increase over the budget that the FDA received for the current fiscal year. The FY 2009 request, which covers the period of Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept.

FDA To Seek Authority To Approve Generic Versions Of Biotechnology Drugs (Medical News Today)
FDA officials on Monday said that the agency will seek authority from Congress to approve generic versions of biotechnology drugs, CQ HealthBeat reports (Carey, CQ HealthBeat, 2/4). FDA Chief Operating Officer John Dyer said that the agency is working on language for the legislative proposal.

FDA Issues Public Health Advisory On Chantix (Medical News Today)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory to alert health care providers, patients, and caregivers to new safety warnings concerning Chantix (varenicline), a prescription medication used to help patients stop smoking. On Nov.