Speaker Ryan signs bill adding Zika to Priority Review Voucher Program

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) signed S. 2512 on Friday as companion legislation to H.R. 4400, a proposal introduced earlier this year by U.S. Reps. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) to add the Zika virus to the Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program.

“Our national defense and public health systems are underprepared to meet the challenges of an outbreak like Zika virus, and in fact, we know very little about the virus,” Brooks said. “Just two weeks ago, we uncovered the structure of the Zika virus thanks to a talented group of researchers at Purdue University. Understanding the structure of a biological threat is a key first step in developing a vaccine or treatment. With the passage of this proposal, we can rest assured that nothing will stand in the way of our best minds using the newly discovered structure to inform development, testing and ultimate distribution of a vaccine or therapy for Zika virus.”

The Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program is a program run by the FDA that allows the federal government to incentivize the development of treatments for disease that the states recognizes as harmful to the general health of the public.

Congress originally established the Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program in 2007.

“This proposal is a no-cost solution that doesn’t undermine the review process or the safety of a vaccine or therapy,” Brooks said. “Although I’m pleased that Congress has acted in response to this outbreak, I’m hopeful that my proposal to incentivize cures and treatments for other dangerous and deadly diseases that pose threats to our public health and national security will be considered in the coming months. By acting now to implement proactive solutions, we can better prepare for the next outbreak or epidemic.”