MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Howell, Read, Smith (35th), Smith (39th)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO AMEND THE FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG AND COSMETIC ACT AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL OF NEW DRUGS AND BIOLOGICS. 

WHEREAS, improving patient access to quality health care is a paramount national goal; and

WHEREAS, the key to improved health care, especially for persons with serious unmet medical needs, is the rapid approval of safe and effective new drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and

WHEREAS, minimizing the delay between discovery and eventual approval of a new drug, biological product, or medical device derived from research conducted by innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies could improve the lives of millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, current limitations on the dissemination of information about pharmaceutical products reduce the availability of information to physicians, other health care professionals, and patients, and unfairly limit the right of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the current rules and practices governing the review of new drugs, biological products, and medical devices by the United States Food and Drug Administration can delay approvals and are unnecessarily expensive:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to address this important issue by enacting comprehensive legislation to facilitate the rapid review and approval of innovative new drugs, biological products, and medical devices, without compromising patient safety or product effectiveness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and to each member of the Mississippi Delegation of Congress.