In addition to renewing the prescription drug user fees, the FDA is seeking to create two new user fees for generic drugs and more complex biosimilars.

FORBES: PDUFA: One of Congress' most important health policy votes in 2012

"The Health Insurance Fund is funded by contributions from employees and the self-employed and there's no intention of increasing those contribution fees at the moment, nor have we any immediate plans to reintroduce prescription charges, " he said.

BBC: Fee rise intended to help smaller Jersey pharmacies

Many changes are needed to improve morale and performance at the FDA, but a further increase in taxes and fees levied on the pharmaceutical industry--and, ultimately, on patients who need prescription drugs--is not one of them.

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