Jill Wechsler

COVID vaccine development highlights need for modernization.

Sweeping competition initiative drills in on cost reduction.

In response to continued criticism of FDA’s initiative to make promising new therapies available to seriously ill patients based on early clinical results, Richard Pazdur, director of FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence, lashed out at the alarmists and urged continued support for this early access process.

White House backs big boost in funding for research, public health.

An updated version of legislation to modernize clinical research policies and FDA expedited approval pathways is circulating on Capitol Hill in anticipation of gaining approval in the coming year.

Separate pushes for vaccine equity, legislation to lower drug costs.