Threats to FDA

Re your Sept. 8 editorial on the threats to the Food and Drug Administration: Not only is the legislation and the president’s proposal to cut the funding for the FDA a threat to our nation’s health, but also the idea of having private firms that manufacture medical devices assess their safety.

I live in a retirement community where many people’s quality of life depends on the use of wheelchairs, walkers and electrical vehicles. The malfunction or poor quality of these devices can have serious results to those who depend on them. We cannot depend on the companies that stand to profit from cost savings in their manufacture to also be responsible for determining if they are truly safe to use!

With new strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, we need a stronger FDA to police the manufacture of new drugs and their safety.

MARGARET R. ANGELL

Claremont