Pharma firms face new fees for TV ad reviews

Washington - Reuters reports that pharmaceutical companies would have to pay $6.25 million in new fees next year to help fund a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review of TV commercials for their products.

According to the FDA, the plan is part of an agreement for proposed legislation to renew industry funding for FDA drug reviews through 2012. Those funds would accompany money the FDA receives from the federal budget.

The plan includes about $392.8 million in fees for fiscal year 2008, though Reuters reports it was not immediately clear what the charges would be in 2009 and after. Nearly $30 million of the fees would be used next year to update the FDA’s ability to monitor drug safety after a product enters the marketplace, the agency says.

The proposal requires that drug companies pay a one-time fee in addition to charges for each TV ad submitted for review. Drug companies are not required to have FDA approval before running commercials, but many submit their ads in advance to avoid potential penalties for misleading claims.