FDA appropriations

House-Senate conference committee approves bill to fund FDA through fiscal 2010, including $2.36 billion in appropriations, on Sept. 30. The total is $306 million more than 2009 funding and $7 million more than the president requested. The bill also approves the collection of $893 million in industry user fees. Medical device activities will get $349.3 million in appropriations under the bill, plus $57 million in user fees. The conference agreement still needs approval by the full House and Senate, and the president's signature. The government will be funded at fiscal 2009 levels though Oct. 31 under a continuing resolution