GOP Lawmakers Propose Forming Secretive Federal Agency to Spur Vaccine Development

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Damien Del Porto <delporto () bivings com>
Date: December 3, 2005 6:30:25 AM EST
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
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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