Washington -
The House Energy and Commerce Committee today unanimously approved the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reform Act of 2012. The bipartisan legislation includes the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act, introduced by Rep. Gingrey, which encourages development of new medicines and streamlines the regulatory process in order to treat the growing number of antibiotic-resistant infections. The GAIN Act’s Senate companion, sponsored by Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), was passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in April.
"As a physician Member of Congress, I understand the critical need for innovative new medicines to combat these ‘superbugs,’" said Rep. Gingrey. "In order to prevent a future public health crisis, my Senate and Committee colleagues have passed the bipartisan GAIN Act to ensure patients have access to life-saving treatments and to decrease the risk of a nationwide, drug-resistant epidemic. In addition to protecting public health, this legislation also seeks to stem the tide of drug developers, investors, and clinical trials from moving overseas."
"Strong support for the GAIN Act among both parties and numerous health care stakeholders reflects the urgent need for development of new drugs to address this growing public health threat," Senator Corker said. "While I will carefully consider the overall FDA bill on its own merits, I’m hopeful the GAIN Act becomes law so we can help restore the pipeline for effective antibiotics without putting additional federal dollars at stake."
"This effort is key to fighting superbugs, a health menace in Connecticut and across the country," said Senator Blumenthal. "Incentives for research and development, and fast track FDA review, are needed to stop these antibiotic-resistant bacteria and infections from spreading. Bipartisan approval by the House Energy and Commerce Committee is a tremendous step toward saving lives through further antibiotic development."
Rep. Gingrey, along with Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), urge House and Senate leadership to send the GAIN Act to the President.
