Sen. Franken proposes bill to speed medical device approvals

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) proposed a bill Nov. 15 that aims to promote devices that treat rare diseases, ease conflict-of-interest regulations for approval committees and lift a profit cap on “humanitarian use devices.” The legislation would bring devices to market faster, he said.

Franken recently visited Minn.-based medical device manufacturer Medtronic, and discussed the bill with company officials, employees, doctors and patients. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

“My legislation would remove unnecessary barriers so that critical medical devices get to the patients that need them as quickly and safely as possible,” Franken said in a statement.

The full text of the Patient Access to Medical Innovation Act can be found here.


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