05/06/1997 04:15 PM Senate L&C

         HJR 31 FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT                       
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN LEMAN  announced  HJR 31  to be up for consideration.               
                                                                               
  NICOLE POIRRIER,  intern to Representative Kott, said that HJR 31            
 asks Congress to amend the federal food, drug, and cosmetic act to            
 approve drugs and biological products in a more rapid manner while            
 maintaining patient safety and product effectiveness.  The                    
 resolution is very broad and nonspecific and simply encourages                
 Congress to reexamine the act.  Currently it takes about 15 years             
 for the FDA to approve new medicine in this country.                          
                                                                               
  SENATOR MACKIE  moved to pass HJR 31 with individual                         
 recommendations.  There were no objections and it was so ordered.             
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN LEMAN  adjourned the meeting at 4:18 p.m.