WASHINGTON, DC - The House Committee on Energy and Commerce today advanced legislation to secure America’s prescription drug supply chain and reauthorize two important drug user fee programs for new and generic animal drugs.
The committee first approved H.R. 1919 by voice vote. This bipartisan legislation, authored by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), would enhance the security of the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain for America’s patients while preventing duplicative federal and state requirements from saddling drug manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and pharmacies. Further, the legislation would establish a collaborative, transparent process between the FDA and stakeholders in order to better understand how and when to move to unit-level traceability.
“Securing the supply chain through this bill will help ensure that counterfeit or stolen drugs do not enter the supply chain and harm patients," said Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA). “It will also ensure that overlapping red tape does not impose dramatic costs on patients in the form of higher prescription drug costs or potential drug shortages."
The committee also approved by voice vote H.R. 1407, which would reauthorize the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act (AGDUFA) that expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2013. Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) led the effort to renew these important programs.
“The American people have benefited greatly because of ADUFA and AGDUFA. These programs ensure that veterinarians, livestock and poultry producers, and pet owners have access to the drugs they need to keep their animals healthy," said Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “This bipartisan measure also protects American jobs. Timely reauthorization of programs is important for companies like Zoetis, which employs over 700 folks in southwest Michigan, because ADUFA and AGDUFA provide the predictability they need to help them produce innovative drugs for pets and livestock."
