[IP] GOP Lawmakers Propose Forming Secretive Federal Agency to Spur Vaccine Development
Begin forwarded message:
From: Damien Del Porto <delporto@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: December 3, 2005 6:30:25 AM EST
To: David Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: GOP Lawmakers Propose Forming Secretive Federal Agency to
Spur Vaccine Development
For IP. -d
GOP Wants to Create Secretive Gov't Agency
GOP Lawmakers Propose Forming Secretive Federal Agency to Spur
Vaccine Development
By ANDREW BRIDGES Associated Press Writer
*WASHINGTON Dec 2, 2005 *— By creating a federal agency shielded from
public scrutiny, some lawmakers think they can speed the development
and testing of new drugs and vaccines needed to respond to a
bioterrorist attack or super-flu pandemic.
The proposed Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency, or
BARDA, would be exempt from long-standing open records and meetings
laws that apply to most government departments, according to
legislation approved Oct. 18 by the Senate health committee.
Those exemptions would streamline the development process, safeguard
national security and protect the proprietary interests of drug
companies, say Republican backers of the bill. The legislation also
proposes giving manufacturers immunity from liability in exchange for
their participation in the public-private effort.
<snip>
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1365376
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