Senate Panel to Consider Renewal of Pediatric Drug Testing Provision

The AP/New York Times reports that a Senate health committee tomorrow will consider the renewal of the 1997 FDA Modernization Act's pediatric exclusivity clause, which allows drug companies to receive a six-month patent extension if they conduct clinical research of a drug's effectiveness on children (AP/New York Times, 5/6). Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), the authors of the original bill, are seeking the reauthorization of the pediatric provision, which expires at the end of the year (American Health Line, 5/4). "Only a fraction of the drugs on the market have been tested for safety to children. It's a lot like playing Russian roulette with our kids," Dodd said (AP/New York Times, 5/6).