Major Drug Safety Bill Passes U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate Senate Wednesday approved a bill overhauling the national drug safety system to fix significant problems.

The 93-1 vote is the first significant step toward a revision that would include increased powers for the Food and Drug Administration, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The bill proposes the FDA be granted additional powers to push drug companies to react appropriately to problems. It also calls for a new computerized system oriented toward avoiding medication problems.

At the heart of our proposal is a modern system for improving patient safety — not through additional layers of bureaucracy, but through a flexible structure that emphasizes … surveillance, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said.

The bill now goes to the House where the Times said several of its provisions will likely be strengthened.