Senate Passes Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act

Press Release

The Senate has passed a bipartisan measure that would bring predictable timeframes to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) scheduling process so new treatments can reach patients in a timely and transparent manner. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who sponsored the legislation, lauded Senate passage of the Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act.

"Right now, patients too often have to wait for promising new treatments because of a slow and seemingly unnecessary DEA approval process," said Whitehouse. "This legislation will limit the amount of time DEA has to make a decision, ensuring quicker access for patients. I thank Senator Hatch for working with me on this bill, and I'm glad we were able to pass it today."

"Our regulatory approach shouldn't ignore the urgent needs of America's patients for lifesaving treatments," said Hatch. "This bill would bring much-needed certainty to the scheduling process and give patients quicker access to new therapies by setting timelines by which the DEA must schedule new drugs. This legislation will improve both patient health and medical innovation, and I look forward to getting this legislation through the final steps and to the President's desk."

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