Senate Bill Aims To Increase Drug Import Safety

The Senate has passed a bill that would increase inspections of foreign drug manufacturers, among other measures designed to assure the safety of the nation's increasingly imported drug supply.

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate has passed a bill that would increase inspections of foreign drug manufacturers, among other measures designed to assure the safety of the nation's increasingly imported drug supply.

Under the Senate bill, approved 96-1, the Food and Drug Administration would have more flexibility to inspect manufacturing sites in China, India and other foreign countries. The number of U.S. drugs produced overseas has more than doubled over the last decade.

Other sections of the bill would increase fines for drug counterfeiting and require drugmakers to notify the government earlier of potential drug shortages. More than 280 drugs are currently in short supply in the U.S., largely due to drug industry consolidation.

The legislation also renews user fee programs under which drugmakers pay the FDA to review new products.

 

AP

   

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