House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) recently applauded President Barack Obama’s signing of H.R. 3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act, into law.
The bill follows a yearlong investigation and bipartisan negotiation to create a law that protects traditional pharmacies and clarifies laws related to human drug compounding in response to the nationwide meningitis outbreak, which was one of the largest public health crises in recent memory.
The bill also strengthens the prescription drug supply chain as a means of defending American families against counterfeit drugs while protecting jobs.
“With the president’s signature today, this bipartisan law will help prevent future crises like last year’s deadly fungal meningitis outbreak while also establishing a unified framework for maintaining safety throughout the drug supply chain,” Upton said. “Across the nation, Americans going to their doctor’s office or pharmacy will now have the confidence that their drugs are safe. From bipartisan oversight to drafting and approving legislation, we were able to reach a compromise to protect the drug supply and also remove regulatory roadblocks, creating an environment conducive to job creation. I am thankful for the cooperation of my colleagues in both the House and the Senate, on both sides of the aisle, for their efforts in this achievement.”
The Drug Quality and Security Act passed the House of Representatives on September 28 and cleared the Senate on November 18.