Upton and Blackburn Praise Positive, Bipartisan Step Toward Reforming the Regulation of Drug Compounding

WASHINGTON, DC â€“ House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) praised today's introduction of bipartisan legislation by committee members Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) to reform the regulation of drug compounding and clarify the authority of state and federal regulators. This legislation is the result of efforts led by theOversight and Investigation Subcommittee to get to the bottom of the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak of 2012, which stemmed from tainted steroid injections produced by the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The bill would clarify the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority while protecting the role of traditional compounders.

"We commend Congressmen Griffith, Green, and DeGette for their leadership," said Upton and Blackburn. "Their tireless efforts in the investigation and legislative process have helped us achieve great progress. Michigan and Tennessee were two of the hardest hit states in the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak, and as we approach the one year mark since this tragedy began, we look forward to continuing to work with them, Ranking Member Waxman, and the Senate to bring this process to a successful conclusion soon."

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