Mike Enzi: “I rise to speak about S. 1082 as well. It is a comprehensive bill to enhance drug safety and provide key resources to…”

“I rise to speak about S. 1082 as well. It is a comprehensive bill to enhance drug safety and provide key resources to the Food and Drug Administration--the FDA--for the review of new drugs, for the review of medical devices, and to ensure that drugs and devices for children are safe and effective. It has been a long and careful road for this bill. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions embarked on a top-to-bottom review of the FDA's drug safety and approval process over 2 years ago. This bill is the culmination of our review and the input of hundreds of stakeholders. I wish to speak for a few minutes discussing why the drug safety components and the changes that are being made are so critical to restoring the peace of mind to Americans who want to be assured the drugs they purchase to address illnesses and chronic medical conditions can be relied on and trusted. For Senator Kennedy and me, bipartisan means you actually work together to find out what the problem is, what the potential solutions are, and how you can meet those needs.”