FDA reform. Food and Drug Administration.

: During the 104th Congress, proposals have been made to make changes to the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency that regulates foods and drugs sold to consumers. Congress is considering eliminating some of the regulations over drug development, thereby hoping to encourage companies to be more cost effective and invest more on developing drugs. The current regulations are often burdensome and may take years to fulfill. In addition, it has been argued by some that many of the restrictions now in place limit the ability of businesses to make profits. By removing some of the unnecessary regulations, manufacturers will be more interested in investing in research and development to produce new drugs. NMAC warns that this should not detract from the need to protect individuals. NMAC's priorities are to preserve the necessary regulatory elements that would protect consumers, while still maintaining the desirable expedition of the drug approval process.