In a 96 to 1 vote, the U.S. Senate passed the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which creates a user-fee program for generic and biosimilar drugs to expedite FDA approval of generics, according to a Hill report.
Many in the healthcare industry see the bill as a positive step toward addressing serious medical concerns over drug shortages and medical devices.
"The Premier healthcare alliance commends members of the Senate for advancing sensible solutions to address drug shortages and medical device identification," Blair Childs, senior vice president of Public Affairs for Premier, said in a statement.
A bipartisan duo, Sens. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Tom Harkins (D-Iowa), sponsored the Senate bill. Moving forward, the House will either take up the Senate version or blend it with a similar House-version that is moving ahead but has yet to pass that part of Congress.
Drug Shortage Legislation in House One Step Closer to Passage
FDA Announces Fewer Drug Shortages This Year Compared to Last
Many in the healthcare industry see the bill as a positive step toward addressing serious medical concerns over drug shortages and medical devices.
"The Premier healthcare alliance commends members of the Senate for advancing sensible solutions to address drug shortages and medical device identification," Blair Childs, senior vice president of Public Affairs for Premier, said in a statement.
A bipartisan duo, Sens. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Tom Harkins (D-Iowa), sponsored the Senate bill. Moving forward, the House will either take up the Senate version or blend it with a similar House-version that is moving ahead but has yet to pass that part of Congress.
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Bill Aims to Regulate Drug Wholesalers, Fix ShortagesDrug Shortage Legislation in House One Step Closer to Passage
FDA Announces Fewer Drug Shortages This Year Compared to Last