This Week's News
Senate approves bill addressing drug shortage, antibiotic resistance crises
A bill passed by the U.S. Senate Thursday should ease the national drug shortage so patients can get the medications they need.
The Senate was united across party lines when it came time to vote on the measure last week: The bill passed by a vote of 96-1. Similar legislation is expected to come before the U.S. House of Representatives this week.
Update: The House passed its own version of the bill Wednesday by a vote of 387-5. Congressional leaders hope to agree upon a final version of the bill by July 4.
The AMA has been working with Congress on this issue, considerably strengthening the version of the bill that was passed by the Senate. The bill would provide relief for the growing drug shortage, thanks to an expanded number of drugs about which manufacturers will be required to provide early notification of possible shortages. The legislation also calls for a report about drug stock-piling and other factors that may contribute to the national problem.
The ever-increasing antibiotic resistance crisis also was addressed in the bill, providing incentives for drug manufacturers to develop the next generation of antibiotics. The number of manufacturers with research and development programs for these types of drugs has plummeted in recent years.
The bill also takes aim at prescription drug abuse and unsafe tanning, authorizing studies on how to effectively combat prescription abuse and diversion and requiring warnings on tanning beds.
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