[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 248 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 248

 Honoring the contributions of patient participants in clinical trials.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 15, 2007

   Mr. Boucher (for himself and Mr. Cannon) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the contributions of patient participants in clinical trials.

Whereas clinical trials of new medicines and vaccines are vital to advancing 
        science and conquering disease;
Whereas a clinical trial is a scientific test of the effectiveness and safety of 
        a new medicine or vaccine with the consent of human volunteers, 
        providing invaluable information to medical researchers and physicians;
Whereas over 2,300,000 people enable medical advances by actively participating 
        in nearly 80,000 clinical trials every year in the United States;
Whereas participants join clinical trials in order to help find better ways to 
        prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat illnesses and to improve medicines;
Whereas every patient using a medicine greatly benefits from essential knowledge 
        of safety and effectiveness possible only through the contribution of 
        clinical trial volunteers;
Whereas clinical trial volunteers are credited with helping to develop the 
        treatments that have cut the death rate of heart disease by 50 percent;
Whereas 20 percent of all participants in trials of new medicines are over the 
        age of 65, creating invaluable knowledge about the unique needs of 
        seniors;
Whereas over 60 percent of children with cancer are enrolled in clinical trials, 
        offering hope to children and their families across America;
Whereas 41 percent of eligible AIDS patients participate in cooperative studies, 
        enabling continued progress in the effort to defeat this disease;
Whereas 80 percent of all eligible lung cancer patients are enrolled in a 
        clinical trial, allowing new generations of medicines to advance against 
        a disease that has not previously had effective treatments;
Whereas the contributions of clinical trial participants have led to the 
        discovery of new treatments and cures and an improved quality of life 
        for all; and
Whereas clinical trial volunteers are needed now more than ever to enable 
        advances against conditions like Alzheimer's, which will exact an 
        incalculable human and economic cost as baby boomers become seniors 
        unless effective and safe new treatments are developed: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors and recognizes the sacrifice, commitment, and 
        contributions of clinical trial participants; and
            (2) encourages everyone to learn about the importance of 
        clinical trials and the important role of trial participants.
                                 <all>