Five Democratic Congressmen released a discussion draft of possible legislation that would alter the powers of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  The bill would increase FDA’s authority and funding to regulate the importation of foreign-manufactured drugs, and also give the FDA the authority to mandate recalls for unsafe drugs.

Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Frank Pallone, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, and Rep. Bart Stupak, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released a discussion draft proposal, which builds on H.R. 759, the Food and Drug Globalization Act, which was introduced by Dingell, Pallone and Stupak last year.

The discussion draft calls for “parity” between foreign and domestic drug facility inspections, would increase the number of pre-approval drug inspections, and would prohibit the importation of drugs into the United States lacking appropriate documentation of safety.  The legislation would also require manufacturers to take steps to ensure the safety of their supply chain.

The sponsors noted that the byproduct of Internet communications and a rapidly-evolving international marketplace is an increase in the purchase of medications from foreign sources. Cong. Pallone claimed that, “One of the downsides is quality control and one of the dangers is the threat to the health and safety of consumers. We need to find the best ways to vest the FDA with the ability and the authority to ensure the safety of medications consumed by Americans.”

Cong. Waxman said he would work with the FDA “and all stakeholders to move this legislation forward as soon as possible.” But the current Congress is heading home for the November elections, and the measure’s fate is unclear if Republicans take control of the House next year.