Pew Hails Passage of Drug Quality and Security Act, a Step Forward for Drug and Patient Safety

WASHINGTON—In response to final Senate passage of the Drug Quality and Security Act—legislation that establishes a national standard for tracing pharmaceuticals through the drug supply system and clarifies federal authority over pharmaceutical compounding—Allan Coukell, senior director of drugs and medical devices at The Pew Charitable Trusts, issued the following statement. 

"Even in the midst of partisan stalemate, Congress can still come together to pass meaningful legislation to protect the public's health. We applaud Senate passage of the bill and urge President Obama to sign it immediately. Counterfeit and contaminated drugs have taken hundreds of American lives and added hundreds of millions of dollars to our nation's health-care costs. This legislation will help protect lives and alleviate these costs by ensuring that prescription drugs are safe, effective, and of the highest quality."