On the recordJune 3, 2013
As the House considers H.R. 1919, the Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013, I would like to voice my specific concerns with one provision within the legislation. While the underlying bill seeks to address the issue of preventing counterfeit drugs from reaching consumers, and improving national regulatory standards for pharmaceuticals, Section 8 of the proposed legislation instead mandates an electronic labeling requirement for pharmaceuticals. This serves to eliminate hard copy professional literature, and transition exclusively to electronic only literature. Based on legislation passed by Congress in 2012, GAO was tasked with studying the issue of e-labeling. This study is expected to be issued in July of this year. I urge my colleagues to carefully consider the potential ramifications of exclusive electronic labeling, and be cautious about any premature legislative action on this issue until the GAO report is released. The findings of this Congressionally mandated study should be deliberated before making a change that has the potential to impact consumers and providers. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1919, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________
