Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) released a new report Tuesday detailing legislative and regulatory recommendations on how to “modernize” the Food and Drug Administration.
The nearly 20-page report lists more than a dozen ways the FDA and Congress can change how the agency regulates and approves products and encourages medical research.
Cassidy plans to “initiate a collaborative, bipartisan process for reforms to strengthen the FDA and get better and more affordable products to patients faster,” according to the report. Cassidy added his panel “looks forward to coordinating with FDA under its new leadership to promote patient access, accelerate U.S. competitiveness, and improve the health of American families.”
It’s unlikely that Democrats will support a new bipartisan health policy that doesn’t include an extension of the expired Obamacare subsidies. So, we won’t see these recommendations become law anytime soon. Still, it’s notable that Cassidy is turning his focus to the FDA.
The report comes as Republican senators have railed against FDA Commissioner Marty Makary for not yet conducting a safety review of the abortion pill mifepristone, as he pledged during his confirmation hearings. While the report doesn’t mention the drug, the topic is likely to come up as the health panel tackles ways to change the FDA.
The Trump administration has also made reducing drug costs a major priority. Cassidy, who’s in a competitive primary after the president endorsed Rep. Julie Letlow (R-La.) in the race, has supported the effort.
Some of the recommendations include making it easier to get new, low-cost drugs to market and integrating AI to expedite the FDA review process.
