PHARMACEUTICALS

Amendments

Drugs: clarify definition of anabolic steroids and provide for research and education activities relative to steroids (S. 2195), S10602, S10606 [6OC]

Health: improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (S. 720), S8776 [22JY]

———provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), S5767 [19MY]

Appointments

Conferees: H.R. 663, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, S8633 [22JY]

Articles and editorials

AIDS Reduces African Life Expectancy to 33, S8270 [16JY]

Choose Someone Else, H728 [2MR]

Deliriously Dumbfounding Drug Discount Cards, E909 [19MY]

Discount Card Doubt, Complicated System—Choosing One of 73 Plans Is a Hassle, Seniors Say, E1015 [2JN]

Early Tests for U.S. in Its Global Fight on AIDS, H5843-H5845 [15JY]

First, Do No Harm, S8632 [22JY]

Fixed-Dose Mixtures of Generic AIDS Drugs Prove Effective, H5842 [15JY]

If Not Now, When?, E682 [28AP]

Intercepting Bioterrorism, H5737 [14JY]

Medical Costs Eat at Social Security, S9158 [14SE]

Medicare ``Bug,'' Thousands Fail To Pay Premiums, H4741 [22JN]

Medicare Drug Discount Cards Explained—Sort of, H2779 [11MY]

Plan B Decision Called Political, H3148 [18MY]

Seniors Blast Medicare Prescription Plan, S679 [6FE]

73 Options for Medicare Plan Fuel Chaos, Not Prescription, S5243, S5374 [12MY]

Shielding the Drug Industry, S10411 [5OC]

Trade Agreement May Undercut Importing of Inexpensive Drugs, S8197 [15JY], H5662, H5709-H5711 [14JY]

With More Than 600 Lobbyists, There's Little Chance on Drug Prices, E291 [3MR]

``Yes'' to Drugs From Canada, E810 [11MY]

Bills and resolutions

Armed Forces: prohibit requirement of anthrax and smallpox immunizations without members' consent and correct records of those previously punished for refusing such vaccines (see H.R. 5166), H7863 [29SE]

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate): authorize production of records relative to use of performance-enhancing drugs by U.S. Olympic sport athletes (see S. Res. 355), S4997 [6MY]

Computers: standardize certification of Internet pharmacies and prohibit certain advertising activities and the use of certain bank instruments for purchases associated with illegal Internet pharmacies (see H.R. 4612), H4579 [18JN]

Dept. of Defense: require emergency contraception to be included on the uniform formulary of pharmaceutical agents of the pharmacy benefits program (see H.R. 4976), H6704 [22JY]

Dept. of HHS: establish an Internet website designed to allow consumers to compare prices for covered outpatient drugs sold by retail pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program (see S. 2597), S7435 [24JN] (see H.R. 4681), H4926 (see H.R. 4681), H5070 [24JN]

———give grant preference to States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication for asthma or anaphylaxis (see S. 2815), S9386 [20SE]

———promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (see S. 2137), S1683 [26FE]

Diseases: promote initiatives to develop an HIV vaccine (see S. Res. 398), S7580 [6JY]

Drug abuse: assist States in establishing, maintaining, and improving systems to reduce the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs (see S. 2288), S3791 [6AP]

Drugs: allow for immediate seizure and destruction of controlled substances being illegally imported into the U.S. (see S. 2465), S5949 [20MY]

———clarify definition of anabolic steroids and provide for research and education activities relative to steroids (see S. 2195), S2716 [11MR]

———develop and require dissemination of a meta-analysis of scientific data on the safety and health risks of marijuana and the clinically-proven effectiveness of medical marijuana (see H.R. 5429), H10926 [6DE]

———eliminate safe-harbor exception for certain packaged pseudoephedrine products used in manufacturing methamphetamine (see H.R. 3789), H434 [10FE] (see H.R. 5347), H9049 [8OC]

———establish an electronic system for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (see S. 3013), S11640 [19NO]

———establish certain restrictions on drugs containing isotretinoin, including the drug marketed as Accutane (see H.R. 4598), H4286 [16JN]

———increase penalties for anabolic steroid offenses near sports facilities (see H.R. 3866), H707 [1MR]

———protect the public from unsafe importation of prescription drugs and from counterfeit prescription drugs (see S. 2493), S6348 [2JN] (see H.R. 4923), H6701 [22JY]

———require agreements regarding the wholesale price of brand-name prescription drugs as a condition of the allowance of certain tax deductions and credits (see H.R. 4899), H6700 [22JY]

FDA: prohibit price gouging during a shortage of a covered vaccine (see H.R. 5404), H10078 [19NO]

———prohibit the approval of any drug that infringes the right to life (see H.R. 4013), H1369 [23MR]

———review decision process to disapprove commercial distribution of the emergency-contraceptive drug Plan B as an over-the-counter drug (see H.R. 4377), H3093 [17MY]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend regulations on direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising (see S. 2445), S5799 [19MY]

———amend relative to market exclusivity for cancer drugs and extend the patent term on such drugs equal to the regulatory review period (see H.R. 5306), H9048 [8OC]

———establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (see S. 2464), S5949 [20MY] (see H.R. 3880), H830 [3MR]

———reduce human exposure to mercury through vaccines (see H.R. 4169), H2153 [2AP]

Foreign trade: permit importation of prescription drugs from Canada (see H.R. 4790), H5470 [9JY]

Government regulations: importation of prescription drugs (see S. 2307), S4024 [8AP] (see S. 2328), S4225 [21AP] (see H.R. 3710), H35 [20JA]

Health: address shortage of influenza vaccine (see S. 2968), S10846 [8OC] (see H.R. 5409), H10078 [19NO]

———conduct vaccine awareness campaign, ensure sufficient vaccine supply, prepare for pandemic or epidemic, and encourage vaccine production capacity relative to influenza (see S. 2038), S320 [28JA] (see H.R. 3758), H303 [3FE]

———ensure an adequate supply and distribution of influenza vaccine (see S. 2959), S10846 [8OC]

———establish system independent of the FDA to review health claims relative to the benefits of foods and dietary supplements (see H.R. 4004), H1322 [18MR]

———provide for emergency distributions of influenza vaccine (see H.R. 5243), H8856 [7OC]

India: provide assistance to combat HIV/AIDS (see S. 2203), S2717 [11MR] (see H.R. 4449), H3439 (see H.R. 4449), H3538 [20MY]

Major League Baseball: adopt drug-testing policy that deters players from using anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances that create a competitive advantage or pose a serious health risk (see S. Res. 335), S4024 [8AP]

Medicaid: extend State fiscal relief (see S. 2671), S8229 [15JY] (see H.R. 4961), H6703 [22JY]

———permit children administered a vaccine at a public health clinic or Indian clinic to be eligible for the pediatric vaccine distribution program (see S. 2272), S3567 [1AP]

———prohibit payments to States for redispensing prescription drugs (see S. 2950), S10845 [8OC]

Medicare: adjust the amount of payment under the physician fee schedule for cancer drug administration services (see S. 2587), S7435 [24JN]

———allow beneficiaries to purchase multiple prescription drug discount cards and to receive a refund of the enrollment fee if prices or the formulary used by the card sponsor changes (see S. 2530), S6881 [16JN]

———condition the payment of employer prescription drug subsidies on the maintenance of current prescription drug benefits (see H.R. 4978), H6704 [22JY]

———contain costs of prescription drug program (see S. 2130), S1683 [26FE] (see H.R. 3854), H699 [26FE]

———coverage of clinical pharmacist practitioner services (see H.R. 4724), H5149 [25JN]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (see S. 2257), S3366 [30MR] (see S. 2652), S8118 [14JY] (see H.R. 3767), H392 [4FE]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (H.R. 3767), consideration (see H. Res. 696), H4927 (see H. Res. 696), H5071 [24JN]

———eliminate privatization and reduce excessive payments to health maintenance organizations and other private sector insurance plans (see S. 2300), S3919 [7AP]

———ensure that every beneficiary has access to a Medicare administered prescription drug plan option (see S. 2487), S6348 [2JN]

———ensure that prescription drug discount card sponsors pass along discounts to beneficiaries (see S. 2234), S3180 [25MR]

———establish demonstration program to offset costs of electronic prescribing systems of health care providers (see H.R. 4805), H5470 [9JY]

———improve accountability in the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs (see H.R. 4903), H6701 [22JY]

———improve coordination of prescription drug coverage under retiree plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs with Medicare drug benefits (see S. 2339), S4300 [22AP] (see H.R. 4195), H2371 [22AP]

———improve coverage of certain prescription drugs and biologicals under the replacement drug demonstration project (see S. 2667), S8229 [15JY]

———negotiate for lower prices for prescription drugs, eliminate gap in coverage of prescription drug benefits, and promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (see H.R. 4512), H3780 [3JN]

———negotiate lower prescription drug prices, eliminate gap in drug benefits coverage, reduce medical errors, increase use of technology, and increase services in primary and preventive care by non-physician providers (see S. 2766), S8688 [22JY]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (see S. 2053), S689 [6FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries (see H.R. 3707), H35 [20JA]

———provide additional beneficiary protections (see H.R. 3702), H35 [20JA]

———provide automatic enrollment and eligibility for certain low-income beneficiaries for subsidies under the Medicare transitional and permanent prescription drug programs (see H.R. 4437), H3438 (see H.R. 4437), H3538 [20MY]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (see S. 2714), S8548 [21JY]

———provide for the automatic enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries for prescription drug benefits (see S. 2413), S5371 [12MY] (see S. 2694), S8474 [20JY]

———provide for the offering of a Federal national prescription drug discount card program (see H.R. 4919), H6701 [22JY]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs (see H.R. 4321), H2733 [10MY]

———simplify prescription drug discount card program (see S. 2512), S6628 [8JN]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: eliminate overpayments to health maintenance organizations and other private plans (see H.R. 4304), H2727 [6MY]

———eliminate the comparative cost adjustment program (see H.R. 3711), H35 [20JA]

———improve (see S. 2343), S4300 [22AP]

———provide certain documents to the House of Representatives relative to cost estimates and analyses (see H. Res. 776), H7234 [15SE]

Members of Congress: ensure that prescription drug coverage for Members is not better than coverage for Medicare beneficiaries (see S. 2678), S8277 [16JY]

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: prohibit use of funds to negotiate data exclusivity provisions for certain pharmaceutical products (see S. 2944), S10845 [8OC]

Product safety: increase public availability of information on clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biological products, and devices (see H.R. 5252), H8857 [7OC]

Public Health Service Act: expand the clinical trials drug data bank (see S. 2933), S10703 [7OC]

States: establish prescription drug monitoring programs, impose requirements on Internet pharmacies, require manufacturers to implement chain-of-custody procedures, and restrict exemption on importation of certain drugs (see H.R. 3870), H752 [2MR]

Taxation: impose an excise tax on the termination of retiree prescription drug coverage (see H.R. 4845), H5908 [15JY]

———treatment of certain gifts and benefits provided to physicians by prescription drug manufacturers (see H.R. 3865), H699 [26FE]

Treaties and agreements: oppose inclusion in future free trade agreements provisions that would negatively impact the implementation of legislation authorizing the importation of prescription drugs (see H. Res. 758), H6899 [8SE]

Court documents

Earline Cook v. Several Entities Involved in Selling Certain Dietary Supplements, H977-H979 [10MR]

Letters

Clinical trials drug data bank expansion: Diane E. Dorman, National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc., S10729 [7OC]

———Janell Mayo Duncan, Consumers Union, S10729 [7OC]

———Mark Isaac, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, S10729 [7OC]

———Richard Sarles, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, S10729 [7OC]

FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research funding through reductions in FDA Office of the Chief Counsel funding: several former FDA Chief Counsels, S8657 [22JY], E1505 [22JY]

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine opinions relative to certain antibiotics: Stephen F. Sundlof, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, H5586 [13JY]

Importation of prescription drugs: Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S8213 [15JY]

Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act: several Senators, S5374 [12MY]

Project BioShield Act: Representative Barton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H5730 [14JY]

———Representative Thomas, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H5729 [14JY]

Scheduling substances under the Controlled Substances Act: Karen P. Tandy, DEA, S10609 [6OC]

Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act: several consumer organizations, S10850 [8OC]

Lists

DEA arrests of physicians, H5295 [7JY]

Groups supporting the conference report on H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H4743 [22JN]

Memorandums

Dept. of Defense Clarification of Duties and Activities of Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network: James B. Peake, Dept. of the Army, S6865 [16JN]

Press releases

New Study Finds Increased Multivitamin Use by the Elderly Could Save Medicare $1.6 Billion: Lewin Group (consulting firm), S11619 [19NO]

Questions and answers

Importation of prescription drugs (S. 2307), S4045 [8AP]

Remarks in House

Armed Forces: prohibit requirement of anthrax and smallpox immunizations without members' consent and correct records of those previously punished for refusing such vaccines (H.R. 5166), E1752 [30SE]

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.: EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award recipient, E1339 [9JY]

———Syracuse, NY, facility recipient of EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, E1224 [24JN]

Budget: evaluation of Bush administration proposals, H898 [9MR], H1045-H1051 [11MR], E363 [11MR]

Canada: permit commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada, E291 [3MR]

Congress: inquiry on addictiveness, safety, and effectiveness of certain pain medications, E831 [12MY]

Courts: pediatric vaccine manufacturer liability protection, H10189 [20NO]

———permit civil actions alleging that products claiming to assist in weight loss caused heart disease or other complications, H974-H977 [10MR]

Cuba: lift restrictions on licensing of experimental pharmaceuticals, E1444 [21JY]

Dept. of Agriculture: minimize contamination of non-genetically engineered seeds, protect organic farm production, and prevent contamination of food supply by pharmaceutical and industrial crops, H5565, H5566 [13JY]

———prohibit the purchase of chickens treated with fluoroquinolone for school nutrition programs, H5582, H5583 [13JY]

Dept. of HHS: give grant preference to States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication for asthma or anaphylaxis (H.R. 2023), H2630 [5MY], H8074-H8079 [5OC], E748 [5MY]

———investigation into allegation of firing threats relative to disclosure of cost of Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, H1219-H1225 [17MR], H1231, H1232, H1233 [18MR], H1613 [29MR], H2500, H2526 [4MY], H3588 [1JN], H5201 [7JY], H5541 [13JY], H5658 [14JY]

———Office of the Sec. funding, H6941, H6942 [9SE]

———promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs, H6622, H6623 [22JY], H7078 [14SE]

———promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (H.R. 2427), H5168 [6JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: prescription drug discounts for veterans, H3586, H3587 [1JN]

Diseases: address the international HIV/AIDS pandemic, H5391 [8JY], H5821, H5822 [15JY], H7555 [23SE]

———tuberculosis drug access funding, H5891 [15JY]

Drug abuse: address issue of oxycodone prescription drug abuse, H599 [25FE]

Drugs: clarify definition of anabolic steroids and provide for research and education activities relative to steroids (S. 2195), H9010 [8OC]

———discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, H1624-H1630 [29MR]

———establish an electronic system for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (H.R. 3015), H8069-H8073 [5OC], E1875, E1925 [11OC]

———establish certain restrictions on drugs containing isotretinoin, including the drug marketed as Accutane, H11043 [7DE]

———establish certain restrictions on drugs containing isotretinoin, including the drug marketed as Accutane (H.R. 4598), H7821 [29SE], H7940 [30SE], H9992 [18NO], H10003 [19NO], E1364 [14JY], E1465 [22JY]

———increase penalties for anabolic steroid offenses near sports facilities (H.R. 3866), H3660-H3665 [2JN]

———prohibit prosecution of physicians for prescribing certain controlled substances for pain relief or management, H5294-H5297 [7JY]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, H2895 [12MY], H3608, H3610 [2JN], E291 [3MR], E367 [16MR], E616 [22AP], E682 [28AP]

FDA: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research funding through reductions in Office of the Chief Counsel funding, H5598, H5599 [13JY], E1505 [22JY]

———Center for Veterinary Medicine funding, H5585 [13JY]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend relative to new animal drugs (S. 741), H6093-H6101 [20JY], E1462 [22JY]

Florida: tribute to companies that donated goods and services in support of hurricane recovery efforts, E1739 [29SE]

Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (organization): designate certain funding as an emergency requirement, H5841-H5845 [15JY]

Government regulations: importation of prescription drugs, H918 [9MR], H2191 [20AP], H2230 [21AP], H2521 [4MY], H2701 [6MY], H2991 [13MY], H3056 [17MY], H3378 [19MY], H3586, H3587, H3588 [1JN], H5615 [13JY], H5658, H5662-H5668, H5698-H5719 [14JY], E367 [16MR], E810 [11MY], E1885 [11OC]

———importation of prescription drugs (S. 2328), E1516 [22JY]

Health: conduct vaccine awareness campaign, ensure sufficient vaccine supply, prepare for pandemic or epidemic, and encourage vaccine production capacity relative to influenza, H10204 [20NO]

———conduct vaccine awareness campaign, ensure sufficient vaccine supply, prepare for pandemic or epidemic, and encourage vaccine production capacity relative to influenza (H.R. 3758), E105 [3FE]

———establish system independent of the FDA to review health claims relative to the benefits of foods and dietary supplements (H.R. 4004), E391 [17MR]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (H.R. 663), E845 [14MY]

———provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), H5581 [13JY], H5721-H5741 [14JY], E1399, E1402 [16JY]

———safety of vaccines containing mercury and thimerosal, H415 [10FE], H1615 [29MR]

———study link between child vaccinations and autism, H415 [10FE], H1615 [29MR], H4564-H4568 [18JN]

Law enforcement: effect of law enforcement efforts on legitimate prescriptions for relief of chronic pain, E177 [12FE]

Major League Baseball: adopt drug-testing policy that deters players from using anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances that create a competitive advantage or pose a serious health risk, H3662-H3664 [2JN]

McClellan, Mark B.: appointment to lead Government study on reimportation of prescription drugs, H728 [2MR]

Medicare: adjust the amount of payment under the physician fee schedule for cancer drug administration services, H7035 [13SE]

———advertising campaign designed to build public support for the new Medicare drug law, H1203, H1219-H1223 [17MR], H3587 [1JN]

———assure that enrollment in any prescription drug program is voluntary, H834 [4MR], H915, H916 [9MR]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (H.R. 3767), H5540, H5541, H5545, H5546 [13JY]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (H.R. 3767), consideration (H. Res. 696), H5921 [19JY]

———establish a prescription drug discount card endorsement program, H834 [4MR], H915 [9MR], H1376 [24MR]

———improve coordination of prescription drug coverage under retiree plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs with Medicare drug benefits (H.R. 4195), E636 [22AP]

———inclusion of health savings accounts, H992 [10MR], H1121 [17MR]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, H485 [11FE], H534 [24FE], H3610 [2JN], H3945, H3946 [14JN]

———prescription drug discount card program implementation, H1745 [31MR], H2493, H2494, H2495, H2500, H2521, H2535-H2538 [4MY], H2554, H2636-H2642 [5MY], H2660, H2702 [6MY], H2779, H2780, H2781 [11MY], H2819, H2820, H2821 [12MY], H3098 [18MY], H3232, H3233, H3234, H3235, H3236 [19MY], H3543, H3544, H3568, H3573, H3574, H3575, H3577-H3589, H3597, H3599 [1JN], H3608, H3609, H3610 [2JN], H3723, H3724, H3725, H3754 [3JN], H5203 [7JY], H5990, H5991 [20JY], H6446 [21JY], H7419 [22SE], H8004-H8009 [4OC], E909 [19MY], E960 [21MY], E1015 [2JN]

———provide additional beneficiary protections (H.R. 3702), E31 [21JA]

———provide automatic enrollment and eligibility for certain low-income beneficiaries for subsidies under the Medicare transitional and permanent prescription drug programs (H.R. 4437), H3573 [1JN], H3754 [3JN]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs, H484 [11FE], H2701 [6MY]

———provide prescription drugs to certain individuals through use of a lottery, H5074 [25JN]

———provide research funding on outcomes of health care items and services including the comparative clinical effectiveness of prescription drugs, H6838, H6839 [8SE]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, H6 [20JA], H62 [21JA], H104, H120-H124 [27JA], H131, H226 [28JA], H252, H281, H283-H291 [3FE], H424-H431 [10FE], H482, H484 [11FE], H713 [2MR], H834 [4MR], H913-H919, H923, H924 [9MR], H1096, H1098, H1110-H1114 [16MR], H1121, H1203, H1219-H1225 [17MR], H1233 [18MR], H1330 [23MR], H1374, H1376 [24MR], H1487 [25MR], H1598, H1613, H1616 [29MR], H1648, H1650, H1714, H1715 [30MR], H1745, H1761, H1762 [31MR], H1794, H1795 [1AP], H2065 [2AP], H2175, H2192 [20AP], H2230, H2240 [21AP], H2298, H2300 [22AP], H2383 [27AP], H2493, H2494, H2495, H2535-H2540 [4MY], H2552, H2636-H2642 [5MY], H2660 [6MY], H2819, H2820, H2821, H2895 [12MY], H2991 [13MY], H3098 [18MY], H3236 [19MY], H3405 [20MY], H3567 [1JN], H3608, H3696 [2JN], H3725 [3JN], H4178 [16JN], H4738-H4745 [22JN], H5990, H5991 [20JY], H6734 [7SE], H7306 [21SE], H7547 [23SE], H7718-H7724 [28SE], H8004-H8009 [4OC], H8862 [8OC], H10899 [6DE], E34 [21JA], E295 [3MR], E960 [21MY], E1038 [4JN]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs, H5921 [19JY]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: investigation into allegations of the withholding of information relative to disclosure of cost of implementation, H7822 [29SE]

Mental health: protect children and their parents from being coerced into administering psychotropic medication in order to attend school (H.R. 1170), H6875 [8SE]

National Cover the Uninsured Week: observance, H2779, H2809-H2812 [11MY]

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: amend, H10189 [20NO]

New Hampshire: tribute to Rx New Hampshire program for efforts to make affordable prescription drugs available to residents, E1806 [6OC]

Prescription drugs: reductions in prices, H2540 [4MY]

Product safety: increase public availability of information on clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biological products, and devices (H.R. 5252), E1882 [11OC]

Republican Party: national agenda, H7079 [14SE]

Ryan, Darlene Montgomery: Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World honoree, E415 [22MR]

Social Security: evaluation of Bush administration proposals, H6732 [7SE]

Taxation: provide incentives to employers that offer retiree health benefits, H5989 [20JY]

———treatment of certain gifts and benefits provided to physicians by prescription drug manufacturers (H.R. 3865), E251 [26FE]

Remarks in Senate

American Pharmacists Month: observance, S10837 [8OC]

Bush, President: evaluation of administration, S3523-S3525 [1AP], S8643 [22JY]

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate): authorize production of records relative to use of performance-enhancing drugs by U.S. Olympic sport athletes (S. Res. 355), S5025 [6MY]

Congress: accomplishments of the 108th Congress, S11336 [16NO]

Dept. of Defense: clarify duties and activities of Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network, S6864, S6866 [16JN]

Dept. of HHS: establish an Internet website designed to allow consumers to compare prices for covered outpatient drugs sold by retail pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program (S. 2597), S7474 [24JN]

———give grant preference to States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication for asthma or anaphylaxis (H.R. 2023), S11326 [11OC]

———give grant preference to States that require schools to allow students to self-administer medication for asthma or anaphylaxis (S. 2815), S9388, S9389 [20SE]

———investigation into allegation of firing threats relative to disclosure of cost of Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, S3051, S3058-S3060 [24MR], S3319 [30MR], S4784 [4MY], S7118 [22JN]

———promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs, S9161-S9164 [14SE], S9540, S9541 [23SE]

———promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (S. 2137), S1702 [26FE], S1897 [27FE]

Diseases: address the international HIV/AIDS pandemic, S2991 [23MR], S3361 [30MR], S7901 [9JY], S8269-S8271 [16JY], S11674 [20NO]

———combat polio, S147 [22JA]

———expand assistance to countries seriously affected by HIV/AIDS, S2671-S2673 [11MR]

———promote initiatives to develop an HIV vaccine (S. Res. 398), S7583 [6JY]

Drug abuse: assist States in establishing, maintaining, and improving systems to reduce the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs (S. 2288), S3793 [6AP]

Drugs: allow for immediate seizure and destruction of controlled substances being illegally imported into the U.S. (S. 2465), S5983-S5985 [20MY]

———clarify definition of anabolic steroids and provide for research and education activities relative to steroids (S. 2195), S10606-S10609 [6OC], S10686 [7OC]

———establish an electronic system for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (S. 3013), S11643 [19NO]

———protect the public from unsafe importation of prescription drugs and from counterfeit prescription drugs (S. 2493), S6339 [2JN]

———reductions in prescription drug prices, S6299-S6302 [2JN], S7945 [13JY], S8498 [21JY]

FDA: Center for Drug Evaluation and Research funding through reductions in Office of the Chief Counsel funding, S8657 [22JY]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend relative to new animal drugs (S. 741), S2365-S2375 [8MR]

———establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (S. 2464), S5983-S5985 [20MY]

Foreign trade: permit importation of prescription drugs from Canada (H.R. 4790), S8932 [8SE]

Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (organization): funding, S11674 [20NO]

Government regulations: importation of prescription drugs, S2700 [11MR], S2760, S2761 [12MR], S3524 [1AP], S3741 [6AP], S5053 [10MY], S8096 [14JY], S8179, S8180, S8185, S8191, S8196-S8199, S8207, S8211, S8214 [15JY], S9156-S9158 [14SE], S10961 [9OC], S11551 [19NO]

———importation of prescription drugs (S. 2307), S4042-S4044 [8AP]

———importation of prescription drugs (S. 2328), S4227-S4230 [21AP], S8498 [21JY], S8932 [8SE], S9072 [10SE], S10411, S10412 [5OC]

Health: address shortage of influenza vaccine (S. 2968), S10864 [8OC]

———availability of influenza vaccine, S10415 [5OC], S11122-S11124 [10OC]

———encourage use of multivitamins in prevention of chronic diseases, S11619 [19NO]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors, S11889 [7DE]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (H.R. 663), S8092, S8093 [14JY], S8632, S8633 [22JY]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (H.R. 663), insert S. 720 language in lieu, S8632 [22JY]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (H.R. 663), unanimous-consent request, S3877, S3878 [7AP], S8092 [14JY]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (S. 720), S8091 [14JY], S8222 [15JY], S8416-S8418 [19JY], S8627-S8633 [22JY]

———provide compensation for injuries resulting from smallpox countermeasures, provide protection against chemical or radiological agents, increase distribution of vaccines, and improve vaccine injury compensation (S. 15), S5726 [18MY], S5744-S5767 [19MY]

HIV/AIDS: Bush administration prohibition against using U.S. appropriations to purchase generic drugs to treat worldwide HIV/AIDS patients, S8110 [14JY]

India: provide assistance to combat HIV/AIDS (S. 2203), S2725 [11MR]

Major League Baseball: adopt drug-testing policy that deters players from using anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances that create a competitive advantage or pose a serious health risk (S. Res. 335), S3996-S3999 [8AP]

McClellan, Mark B.: confirmation as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, S2760, S2761, S2765, S2773 [12MR]

———nomination to be Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, S2431 [9MR]

Medicaid: extend State fiscal relief (S. 2671), S8233, S8234 [15JY]

———permit children administered a vaccine at a public health clinic or Indian clinic to be eligible for the pediatric vaccine distribution program (S. 2272), S3571 [1AP]

———prohibit payments to States for redispensing prescription drugs (S. 2950), S10850 [8OC]

Medicare: adjust the amount of payment under the physician fee schedule for cancer drug administration services (S. 2587), S7417, S7445 [24JN]

———advertising campaign designed to build public support for the new Medicare drug law, S625-S627 [5FE], S3051, S3058-S3060 [24MR], S3524 [1AP], S4755 [3MY], S4780, S4786 [4MY], S5934 [20MY]

———allow beneficiaries to purchase multiple prescription drug discount cards and to receive a refund of the enrollment fee if prices or the formulary used by the card sponsor changes (S. 2530), S7037 [18JN]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S518 [3FE]

———deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices (S. 2652), S8119-S8122, S8140 [14JY], S8268 [15JY]

———eliminate overpayments to regional preferred provider organizations and other Medicare advantage plans and use savings to reduce prescription drug coverage gap, S2682 [11MR]

———eliminate privatization and reduce excessive payments to health maintenance organizations and other private sector insurance plans (S. 2300), S3937 [7AP]

———ensure that prescription drug discount card sponsors pass along discounts to beneficiaries (S. 2234), S3185 [25MR], S3319 [30MR]

———improve coordination of prescription drug coverage under retiree plans and State pharmaceutical assistance programs with Medicare drug benefits (S. 2339), S4317 [22AP]

———negotiate lower prescription drug prices, eliminate gap in drug benefits coverage, reduce medical errors, increase use of technology, and increase services in primary and preventive care by non-physician providers (S. 2766), S8754 [22JY]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, S6301 [2JN]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (S. 2053), S628 [5FE], S1276 [12FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to negotiate fair prescription drugs prices for beneficiaries, S2398 [9MR]

———prescription drug discount card program implementation, S4387-S4390 [27AP], S4680 [29AP], S4780, S4782, S4784-S4787 [4MY], S4859, S4860 [5MY], S5057 [10MY], S5243, S5246 [12MY], S6253 [1JN], S6301 [2JN], S7945 [13JY], S9487 [22SE]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 1994), S8191 [15JY]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 1999), S105 [21JA]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 2714), S8561, S8574 [21JY], S8792 [22JY]

———provide for the automatic enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries for prescription drug benefits (S. 2413), S5373 [12MY]

———provide for the automatic enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries for prescription drug benefits (S. 2694), S8479, S8490 [20JY], S8574 [21JY]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, S75 [21JA], S341 [2FE], S675-S677, S679, S680 [6FE], S693, S698 [9FE], S763 [10FE], S1414 [12FE], S2761, S2762 [12MR], S3051, S3058-S3060 [24MR], S3319 [30MR], S3524, S3527 [1AP], S3624-S3627 [5AP], S3911, S3952-S3957 [7AP], S4340-S4342 [26AP], S4387-S4390 [27AP], S4631, S4680 [29AP], S4784-S4786 [4MY], S5056-S5058 [10MY], S5243, S5247 [12MY], S5488 [14MY], S8096 [14JY], S8825 [7SE], S9487 [22SE], S9541 [23SE], S10617-S10620 [7OC], S10764-S10767, S10769 [8OC], S10960-S10962, S10981-S10983 [9OC]

———simplify prescription drug discount card program (S. 2512), S6631 [8JN]

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: anniversary, S11770 [20NO]

———improve (S. 2343), S4329 [22AP]

———investigation into allegations of the withholding of information relative to disclosure of cost of implementation, S7118 [22JN], S9541 [23SE]

Members of Congress: ensure that prescription drug coverage for Members is not better than coverage for Medicare beneficiaries (S. 2678), S8400 [16JY], S8427 [19JY]

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: prohibit use of funds to negotiate data exclusivity provisions for certain pharmaceutical products (S. 2944), S10847 [8OC]

Pfizer, Inc.: tribute to initiative to provide discounts on prescription drugs for the uninsured, S7745 [7JY]

Political campaigns: comparison of President Bush and Senator Kerry relative to health care reform, S9542, S9544 [23SE], S10812 [8OC]

Prescription drugs: reductions in prices, S5053 [10MY]

Project BioShield Act: clarify availability of funds for the purchase of vaccines under contracts in effect prior to enactment, S5766, S5767 [19MY]

Public Health Service Act: expand the clinical trials drug data bank (S. 2933), S10728-S10731 [7OC]

Senate: legislative priorities, S7945 [13JY]

Reports

Democracy on Drugs: Common Cause (organization), E1038-E1040 [4JN]

Insider—FDA Can't Protect Public: CBS News, H9993 [18NO]

Reports filed

Anabolic Steroid Control Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3866) (H. Rept. 108-461), H2405 [27AP]

———Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 3866) (H. Rept. 108-461), H2151 [2AP]

———Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 2195), S10059 [30SE]

Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2023) (H. Rept. 108-606), H5792 [14JY]

———Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 2815) (S. Rept. 108-394), S10845 [8OC]

Investigation of Certain Allegations Related to Voting on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (House) (H. Rept. 108-722), H8037 [4OC]

Methamphetamine Blister Pack Loophole Elimination Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1784), S10365 [4OC]

Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (S. 741) (H. Rept. 108-608), H5907 [15JY]

———Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 741) (S. Rept. 108-226), S1457 [23FE], S1518 [24FE]

National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3015) (H. Rept. 108-728), H8166 [5OC]

Provide Documents to the House of Representatives Relative to Cost Estimates and Analyses of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H. Res. 776) (H. Rept. 108-754), H9047 [8OC]

———Committee on Ways and Means (House) (H. Res. 776) (H. Rept. 108-754), H8856 [7OC]

Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 1153) (S. Rept. 108-419), S11639 [19NO]

Statements

Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program Implementation: National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, E1105 [14JN]

Summaries

Importation of Prescription Drugs (S. 2307), S4044 [8AP]

Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act (S. 2328), S4228 [21AP]

Texts of

H.R. 2023, Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act, H8074 [5OC]

H.R. 3015, National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act, H8069 [5OC]

H.R. 3866, Anabolic Steroid Control Act, H3660 [2JN]

S. 15, Project BioShield Act, S5744-S5760 [19MY], H5721-H5729 [14JY]

S. 720, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, S8627-S8631 [22JY]

S. 741, Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act, S2365-S2374 [8MR], H6093-H6099 [20JY]

S. 2195, Anabolic Steroid Control Act, S10606-S10608 [6OC], H9010 [8OC]

S. 2203, provide assistance to combat HIV/AIDS in India, S2726 [11MR]

S. 2272, Children's Vaccine Access Act, S3572 [1AP]

S. 2413, Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act, S5375 [12MY]

S. 2587, Ensuring Quality and Access to Cancer Care Act, S7446 [24JN]

S. 2597, Prescription Drug Price Comparison for Savings Act, S7474 [24JN]

S. 2694, Medicare Assurance of Rx Transitional Assistance Act, S8481 [20JY]

S. 2714, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act, S8561 [21JY]

S. 2815, Asthmatic Schoolchildren's Treatment and Health Management Act, S9388 [20SE]

S. 2944, prohibit use of funds by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate data exclusivity provisions for certain pharmaceutical products, S10848 [8OC]

S. 2950, prohibit Medicaid payments to States for redispensing prescription drugs, S10850 [8OC]

S. 2968, Emergency Flu Response Act, S10861-S10863 [8OC]

S. Res. 335, adopt drug-testing policy that deters Major League Baseball players from using anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances that create a competitive advantage or pose a serious health risk, S3999, S4054 [8AP]

S. Res. 398, promote initiatives to develop an HIV vaccine, S7582 [6JY]

Transcripts

Analysis—Small Indian Firm Cipla Manufactures Low-Cost Generic AIDS Drugs, but Its Products Face Bans in Many Countries: National Public Radio News Morning Edition (radio show), S8112 [14JY]