Senate approves drug shortages legislation

The U.S. Senate on May 24 voted 96-1 to approve the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which includes American Hospital Association-supported provisions to help alleviate critical drug shortages. The bill reauthorizes the law permitting FDA to collect user fees from makers of prescription drugs and medical devices, and allows the agency to begin collecting user fees for generic drugs.

The White House has said it "strongly supports" the legislation, which must be reconciled with a similar measure in the House.