Latebreakers: Bill to give FDA more powers advances in Congress

At press time, the Senate has passed the Food & Drug Administration Revitalization Act (S. 1082), which gives the FDA more powers to require manufacturers to conduct postmarketing studies to improve patient safety. The bill also reauthorizes the Prescription Drug User Fee Act so that the agency has the financial resources to review drug applications expeditiously. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.