Bill addresses counterfeit medical products

Sens. Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced Monday legislation targeting potentially harmful counterfeit medical products while also protecting patients from such dangers.

The Safeguarding Therapeutics Act would empower the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to seize and destroy counterfeit medical devices and products, including vaccines and combination products like EpiPens.

“As we continue to combat the coronavirus pandemic, it is critical to ensure that vaccines, COVID-19 tests, and other medical products are safe and reliable,” Enzi said. “This bill would allow the FDA to destroy counterfeit medical products that could be dangerous to patients while strengthening our health care supply chain at a time when we need it most.”

The bill serves as a Senate companion to legislation Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced and included in the latest coronavirus relief package passed by the House.

“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that people have access to safe and effective medical products is more essential than ever,” Hassan said. “This bipartisan legislation to allow the FDA to destroy counterfeit medical products will protect public health and keep the American people safe.”

The measure bolsters the 2012 Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which empowered the FDA to seize and destroy counterfeit drugs, but not medical devices.