S.J.R. 2 Enrolled

RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESSIONAL
FACILITATION OF HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS
1997 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Lane Beattie
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE URGING THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS TO AMEND THE FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT AND
THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND
APPROVAL OF NEW DRUGS AND BIOLOGICS.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS improving patient access to quality health care is a paramount national goal;
WHEREAS the key to improved health care, especially for persons with serious unmet
medical needs, is the rapid approval of safe and effective new drugs, biological products and
medical devices;
WHEREAS minimizing the delay between discovery and eventual approval of a new drug,
biological product, or medical device derived from research conducted by innovative
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies could improve the lives of millions of Americans;
WHEREAS current limitations on the dissemination of information about pharmaceutical
products reduce the availability of information to physicians, other health care professionals and
patients, and unfairly limit the right of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the
United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS the current rules and practices governing the review of new drugs, biological
products, and medical devices by the United States Food and Drug Administration can delay
approvals and are unnecessarily expensive:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urge
the United States Congress to address this important issue by enacting comprehensive legislation
to facilitate the rapid review and approval of innovative new drugs, biological products, and
medical devices, without compromising patient safety or product effectiveness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the Speaker of the

United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and to the
members of Utah's congressional delegation.

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