Legislation led by U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) to help find a cure for Zika virus headed to the president’s desk on Friday for consideration.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) on Friday signed S. 2512, a Senate companion to the bipartisan Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act, H.R. 4400, introduced by Brooks earlier this year. Under the bill, Zika virus would be added to the FDA Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program.
“Our national defense and public health systems are underprepared to meet the challenges of an outbreak like Zika virus, and in fact, we know very little about the virus,” Brooks said. “Just two weeks ago, we uncovered the structure of the Zika virus thanks to a talented group of researchers at Purdue University. Understanding the structure of a biological threat is a key first step in developing a vaccine or treatment. With the passage of this proposal, we can rest assured that nothing will stand in the way of our best minds using the newly discovered structure to inform development, testing and ultimate distribution of a vaccine or therapy for Zika virus.”
Congress authorized the FDA Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program in 2007 to incentivize the development of vaccines, cures and treatments for tropical diseases. Companies that develop treatments for listed diseases receive priority review status for a future project under the program.
“This proposal is a no-cost solution that doesn’t undermine the review process or the safety of a vaccine or therapy,” Brooks said. “Although I’m pleased that Congress has acted in response to this outbreak, I’m hopeful that my proposal to incentivize cures and treatments for other dangerous and deadly diseases that pose threats to our public health and national security will be considered in the coming months. By acting now to implement proactive solutions, we can better prepare for the next outbreak or epidemic.”
Brooks has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to respond to Zika virus. In February, she led a letter that called on Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Ostroff to add Zika virus to the FDA Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program that was signed by 70 legislators.
“While the development of vaccines is already underway, it could take years before a vaccine is widely available,” Brooks said in February. “In a situation like this — when the WHO has estimated that up to four million people in the Americas will be infected by the end of the year — we don’t have the luxury of time. I will continue to pursue actions and legislative fixes that will help protect our country from dangerous diseases and help arm our researchers with the resources they need to combat the challenges of any potential epidemic or outbreak before it occurs.”