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Reps. Latta and Matheson Release Draft Legislation to Strengthen the Pharmaceutical Distribution Supply Chain

Washington, DC, April 22, 2013 | Laura Strange (202-225-6405)

Today, U.S. Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH) and Jim Matheson (D-UT) released draft legislation to strengthen and improve the safety of our nation’s drug supply chain.

To protect patient safety, this bill would replace the patchwork of multiple state laws and create a uniform national standard for securing the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain, therefore preventing duplicative state and federal requirements.  It would increase security of the supply chain by establishing tracing requirements for manufacturers, wholesale distributors, pharmacies and repackagers based on changes in ownership.  The bill also establishes a collaborative, transparent process between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and stakeholders to study ways to even further secure the pharmaceutical supply chain. 

“This important draft legislation will ensure greater patient safety for all Americans,” Latta said. “In addition to providing uniformity for states, it will prevent burdensome regulations.  I look forward to working with Committee to advance this legislation forward.”     

“I am proud to continue my work on this issue with Mr. Latta in a bi-partisan manner,” Matheson said. “This draft is a culmination of several years of work with industry, federal regulators, and congressional colleagues, and will help lead to a more secure drug supply chain for consumers. Our draft provides reasonable uniform standards in which all drug supply stakeholders must adhere.”

The Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on this draft legislation Thursday, April 25, 2013.

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