WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives this week is expected to consider three bills to improve the public health, building on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s proven record of success in this space. These bills will streamline and update sunscreen approval, help the Muscular Dystrophy community, and improve enforcement efforts regarding prescription drug diversion and abuse. The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health has demonstrated its ability to work together to improve the public health with over a dozen bipartisan bills already signed into law this Congress.
The House will consider the following bills this week:
H.R. 4250, the Sunscreen Innovation Act, introduced by committee members Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI). This bill would establish a more efficient review process to ensure quicker FDA approval of new sunscreen ingredients, while maintaining strict safety standards. The FDA has not approved a new sunscreen ingredient in nearly two decades. This legislation would require that pending and new applications be completed in a more predicable and transparent manner.
H.R. 594, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments of 2014, introduced by committee members Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY). H.R. 594 would update surveillance, research, and education activities to reflect scientific developments and continue the support of research and patient support initiatives across all forms of Muscular Dystrophy.
H.R. 4709, the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2014 aims to address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse while ensuring patient access to necessary medications. The bill, authored by Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA), full committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), would create a more collaborative partnership between drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and federal enforcement and oversight agencies.
