Animal Health Institute Calls for Faster, More Modern Animal Drug Review Process in ADUFA VI Discussions
Washington, DC – The Animal Health Institute (AHI) today urged regulators and stakeholders to use the upcoming reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA VI) as an opportunity to modernize the animal drug review process, strengthen U.S. leadership in animal health innovation, and improve timely access to safe and effective products for veterinarians, farmers and ranchers, and pet owners.
Speaking at the ADUFA VI public meeting, AHI President and CEO Martha Scott Poindexter emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry and the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), particularly at a time when innovation in animal health is advancing rapidly.
“ADUFA VI is an opportunity to build on a strong foundation and modernize the animal drug review process so veterinarians, farmers, ranchers, and pet owners have more timely access to the innovative tools needed to protect animal health,” said Poindexter, who outlined three core priorities for AHI:
- Improving the speed and efficiency of reviews;
- Creating a stronger environment for innovation; and
- Increasing international harmonization to reduce duplication and support science-based decision-making.
Stakeholders and leaders from across the animal health industry attended the public virtual meeting to show their support for CVM modernization and the ADUFA process, representing veterinarians, farmers and ranchers, state agriculture, and animal health organizations.
AHI also stressed that broader modernization of the animal health framework will require congressional action beyond ADUFA reauthorization, including potential reforms to incentives, pathways, and emergency-use authorities.
“We are committed to working constructively with Congress, CVM, and other stakeholders to advance long-term innovation and access across animal health,” said Poindexter. “If we approach this process with a shared commitment to practical problem-solving, we can build a modernized review process to incentivize and produce more products to meet medical needs in animals.”
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