House Passes Reform for Regulations Covering New Medical Therapies, Bill Heads to President's Desk

Press Release

A new 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 has passed in Congress and is now on its way to the President's desk. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee, and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a member and former chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, lauded House passage of the Improving Regulatory Transparency for New Medical Therapies Act, for which they are the original cosponsors.

"A slow and seemingly unnecessary DEA approval process is preventing patients from getting new and innovative treatments that can help them," said Whitehouse. "This legislation will limit the amount of time the DEA has to make a decision, ensuring quicker access for patients. I thank Senator Hatch for working with me on this bill and our House counterparts for moving it forward. I look forward to having it signed into law by the President."

"I am pleased the House of Representatives has passed this important legislation to give patients faster access to newly approved therapies," Hatch said. "Our regulatory approach shouldn't ignore the urgent needs of America's patients for lifesaving treatments. Enacting this law is an important step in streamlining administrative processes, increasing transparency, promoting medical innovation, and improving patient health."

Source