Press Releases

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative John Duarte (CA-13) along with a bipartisan group of his colleagues, Representatives David Valadao (CA-22), Michelle Steel (CA-45), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), David Schweikert (AZ-1), and Jim Costa (CA-21), sent a letter to Commissioner Robert Califf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, urging the Administration to include coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) in the existing list of tropical diseases. This designation would qualify Valley Fever sponsors and researchers for a Priority Review Voucher (PRV), incentivizing the development of treatments and preventative measures.

"I am proud to lead a letter with both my Democrat and Republican colleagues urging Commissioner Califf to add Valley Fever to the Food and Drug Administration’s Priority Review Voucher program. Valley Fever is a public health threat and it’s vital that we invest in finding effective treatments and preventative measures for it. By obtaining this designation, we can expedite research efforts into the disease and protect thousands of Californians, including my constituents in the Valley, from this severe and, at times, fatal disease," said Rep. Duarte.

To view the letter, click here.