Bart Stupak: “Mr. Speaker, the pediatric research equity bill is not a bad bill. I agree with the premise of the bill. As the ranking…”

“Mr. Speaker, the pediatric research equity bill is not a bad bill. I agree with the premise of the bill. As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health said, it is unfortunate that we have not had a hearing on this bill, we have not had a chance to mark it up, we have not had a chance to amend it. Because I would wish that Congress would stop for a minute and look at this bill before we make another fatal mistake when we deal with pharmaceuticals dealing with young people. As the other speakers said, it is necessary to test and do proper labeling on drugs before we give them to children. We need to know, I think is what the chairman said, all the ramifications before we give young people drugs. This bill goes halfway. This bill only goes halfway. This Congress should not allow the continuation of the practice of pharmaceutical companies being able to develop drugs but not put on proper labeling. When they do this testing, when it comes time to label, doctors, families, patients need to know how should the drug be used in dispense. What is the proper dosage for young people? What duration of time should the pill be taken and how often? What are the side effects of the use of this drug?”