Testimony | In Person
Event Title
Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
November 14, 2024
- Testimony of
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Hilary Marston, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer - Food and Drug Administration
Introduction
Chair Wenstrup, Ranking Member Ruiz, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you to discuss the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA or Agency) efforts regarding pandemic preparedness.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle, as well as emergency-induced supply chain disruptions causing shortages of medical products have underscored the need to continue to optimize our nation’s preparedness and response capabilities. These public health emergencies and threats also make clear the value and importance of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to address pandemic threats, and the role these products serve in saving lives. FDA works in close coordination and collaboration with our partners across all levels of government, to help facilitate the development, authorization, licensure, approval, clearance, and availability of critical, high-quality, safe, and effective medical products and ensure the continuity of the food supply to address current and future public health threats.