House Set To Vote On Cures Nov. 30; Latest Version Includes 510(k)s In Breakthrough Pathway
Executive Summary
A combined House/Senate "21st Century Cures" package will get a vote in the House on Nov. 30, and soon in the Senate. The medical innovation package includes a breakthrough device pathway that, in its current form, would allow 510(k), as well as PMA and de novo, devices to participate. The bill also provides a modest $500m to help support a range of additional FDA device and drug pathway streamlining reforms. Meanwhile, it would authorize $4.8bn for the Precision Medicine Initiative, a BRAIN Initiative, and for cancer "Moonshot" research funds at NIH.
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Following House passage of a combined House/Senate 21st Century Cures package Nov. 30, the Senate will take up the bill on Dec. 5 or 6, said Senate HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who shepherded a similar package of medical innovation bills through the committee earlier this year. While some Democrats remain vocal in opposing the bill based on worries that it will water-down FDA safety protections and funding concerns, the House vote showed lopsided support, and the Senate is expected to pass it and the president to sign.
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