The Pentagon's compromise: drug approvals to remain in FDA's hands
The Senate has unanimously cleared an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would allow the FDA to retain sole power to approve drugs and medical devices. The move comes just days after the bill’s policy language sparked controversy about the Pentagon usurping the FDA’s power.
As first written, the bill would have given the Pentagon authority to OK the use of experimental and unapproved drugs and medical devices for emergency use on military personnel and “individuals associated with deployed members of the armed forces.” The hope was that certain unapproved products could “reduce deaths and severity of injuries caused by agents of war.”
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