Senator Richard Burr Message


Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

Yesterday, I introduced a bill encouraging the President to designate March 29 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” in honor of  our armed service members who served in Vietnam.  I am proud that President Obama proclaimed yesterday, March 29, 2012, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.  You can read more about the bill in this press release.

American troops served bravely and faithfully during the Vietnam War, and these veterans deserve our recognition and gratitude they earned. Unfortunately, when these service members returned home, they were caught in the crossfire of public debate about our nation’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and many never received the reception and recognition they deserved.

This weekend, many of our nation’s Vietnam veterans will gather in Charlotte for the inaugural Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration.  This grand tribute applauding the courageous efforts of our Vietnam veterans and acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices they made to defend the freedoms we hold so dear is long overdue.  We owe it to our Vietnam veterans to thank them for their dedication, commemorate their service, and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  I am proud that the inaugural tribute will take place in North Carolina, and I hope that this celebration will be the first of many in the years to come.

Report on FDA Approval of Medical Devices

Yesterday, I, along with Senator Coburn, released a report we requested from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the length of time it takes FDA to review and approve life-saving medical devices.  

This confirms a disturbing trend: the FDA is taking longer and longer to make final decisions on life-saving medical devices. GAO also confirms the FDA is not meeting some of its performance goals.

Patients and taxpayers care about how long it takes for safe and effective life-saving products to reach them. Unfortunately, the GAO report highlights that red-tape at the FDA is making it more difficult for life-improving devices to reach patients as quickly as possible.

This report makes clear that reporting only on the user fee performance goals negotiated by industry and the FDA does not paint a full picture of FDA’s performance. GAO’s report shows that FDA’s final decisions on devices are taking longer due to more review cycles and requests for additional information.

Patients rely upon FDA to make sound medical decisions in as timely a manner as possible. Increasing regulatory uncertainty and unnecessary delays are stifling investments in the development of life-saving medical products. If Congress fails to ensure consistent oversight and transparency at FDA, we risk continuing to drive medical innovation and job creation overseas and jeopardizing American patients’ access to the most cutting-edge medical therapies and advances.

You can read the full GAO report here.  This fact sheet on the GAO device report is also helpful.

Resolution to Introduce Children to Employment Opportunities Passes Senate

This week, a resolution I introduced that is designed to create inspiring educational experiences for America’s children, also passed the Senate. This resolution designates April 26, 2012 as Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, and will help expose our children to the opportunities that are available to them after they complete their education. This program shows our sons and daughters what they are working towards so they know the value and sense of purpose that come with an education and career goals.

You can learn more about the bill here.

Bipartisan Bill to Bring Breakthrough Treatments to Patients More Quickly

On Monday, I, along with Senators Michael Bennet and Orrin Hatch, introduced a bipartisan bill to help bring breakthrough drugs and treatments to patients who need them more quickly.

The Advancing Breakthrough Therapies for Patients Act would expedite U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and provide more flexibility when a drug or treatment shows dramatic responses early in development, while still ensuring drug safety and efficacy. For patients, this proposal would allow FDA the ability to move towards more innovative clinical trials, such as minimizing the number of patients enrolled in trials and shortening the duration of trials, when scientifically appropriate.

As our understanding of diseases and conditions has advanced, targeted cutting-edge medical therapies are increasingly being developed.  We owe it to patients to provide a clear pathway for expediting the development and review of breakthrough therapies so promising innovation can reach patients as soon as possible.  Clarifying the regulatory pathway for breakthrough therapies for innovators and the FDA will help fulfill the potential of these therapies for America’s patients, while spurring future generations of life-saving treatments.