ENZI PLEASED WITH HOUSE ACTION ON DRUG SAFETY, CALLS FOR CONTINUED BIPARTISAN EFFORTS

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today said he is pleased that the House of Representatives acted on critical drug safety legislation late yesterday, and urged lawmakers in the House and Senate to continue working together in a bipartisan way as the bill moves to conference. “I am pleased that the House has acted on this important matter,” Enzi said. “Each day, half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug. We must work together to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bills so we can restore peace of mind that the drugs Americans purchase to treat illnesses and chronic medical conditions are safe and effective. “This key Food and Drug Administration (FDA) package includes four reauthorizations that must be renewed this year to protect the safety of Americans. It gives FDA new tools to take measured and appropriate steps to protect the health and safety of Americans when the agency’s post-market surveillance signals potential dangers from a drug or therapy.” The Senate passed drug safety legislation authored by Senator Enzi and Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the HELP Committee, in May by a 93-1 vote. “The bipartisan efforts in both chambers to get these bills passed are a good sign that we can in fact rise above partisan politics and do what is right for the American people,” Enzi said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to conference this bill and send it to the President’s desk for his signature this year.” ####