Dingell Stresses Need For Additional Drug Safety Authorities

Statement

Commends Oversight and Government Reform Leaders

Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) released the following statement at the conclusion of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing entitled "Johnson & Johnson's Recall of Children's Tylenol and Other Medicines":

"I commend the Members of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for the hearing they held today to examine the issues around the recent recall of children's medicines. The hearing shed additional light on this particular incident and the systemic problems the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have with ensuring the safety of the nation's drug supply. These issues have been a concern of mine for some time. I find it deeply concerning that FDA lacks some fundamental authorities and enforcement tools needed to regulate an increasingly global and complex drug supply. Last year, I introduced legislation that will address these deficiencies in FDA regulatory ability and I hope with the support of Congressmen Towns and Issa we can get that bill moving soon."

Rep. Dingell is the author of H.R. 759, the "Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009". H.R. 759 would grant FDA the authorities and resources needed to ensure the safety of the nation's drug supply. H.R. 759 includes authority to issue a mandatory recall, detain and seize unsafe drug products, increased drug facility inspection schedule, and increased penalties for violators.

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