You’ve likely been hearing a lot about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the context of the novel coronavirus pandemic. But, have you heard about the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)? Stat News explains that BARDA is a government agency that works like a venture capital company. It invests in the development of drugs that are not commercially viable, drugs that big Pharma has no interest in developing with its own resources.
BARDA now has $3.5 billion from Congress, three times its normal budget, to develop a vaccine and treatment for the novel coronavirus, including respirators and ventilators. The question is whether BARDA is prepared to take on this work. To be clear, the work includes identifying companies with which to contract and getting them the federal dollars to do the needed work. Then, BARDA’s team of experts engage actively in overseeing the work of these companies.
To focus on COVID-19, BARDA has had to put other non-COVID-related work on hold or extend deadlines for that work. It has queued up new non-COVID-19 proposals. And, it is trying to hire more staff.
BARDA was established in 2006, in the wake of the anthrax attacks. It is an arm of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Early on, BARDA invested in the anthrax and smallpox vaccines and Zika and Ebola treatments. It’s slogan is “Savings Lives and Protecting Americans.”
BARDA has already given a lot of money to Johnson & Johnson’s, Janssen and Moderna Therapeutics for vaccine research and clinical trials. It also has been helping at least seven companies get FDA approval for their Covid-19 tests, through an emergency clearance process.
Congress has lifted some of BARDA’s oversight requirements with the goal of speeding up the process for getting COVID-19 tests and treatments. It has also lifted some restrictions on drug pricing, presumably with the goal of getting more drug companies interested in doing the research and development work. You can decide for yourself what that means for the efficacy, safety and affordability of COVID-19 tests and treatments.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Coronavirus: What’s in the $2 trillion stimulus for older adults?
- Coronavirus: Update on Medicare Advantage and other coverage
- Coronavirus: Medicare coverage
- Coronavirus: Taking supplements poses risks
- Coronavirus: Watch out for Medicare fraud
