Murray Calls for Bipartisanship to Advance American Leadership in Medical Innovation
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a HELP Committee hearing on Continuing America’s Leadership in Medical Innovation for Patients. In her remarks, Murray called for bipartisanship and continued investments to build on and advance the United States’ leadership in medical innovation. Murray highlighted that Washington state is a leader in biomedical innovation, which has helped drive economic growth and job creation in Washington state and across the country. She also discussed the importance of maintaining the highest standards of patient and consumer protection, so that patients have the assurance that the medicines they take are safe and effective.
Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s remarks:
“I believe we are at a truly fascinating moment in medical innovation right now. We increasingly have the ability to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ model of treatment, and instead, treat patients according to their unique characteristics. We’ve also seen enormous growth in life sciences as a source of economic strength and job creation. My home state of Washington is a great example. Life sciences are the 5th largest employment sector in my state and growing. These are good jobs, in an industry with global reach—and our country needs more of them.”
“…it is critical that we secure and build on the United States’ leadership in medical innovation. To do this, I believe Congress has to look at how we can ramp up investment in the kind of research and development that helps drive this private sector growth. That’s something I will be very interested in exploring as part of our bipartisan effort in the coming weeks and months.”
“When we looked at the FDA approval process in 2005, Senator Kennedy reminded us that when patients open up their medicine cabinet, they deserve every assurance that the medicines they take are safe and effective. That’s, of course, just as true today. So as our conversations about advancing medical innovation move forward, I will be guided by his vision of upholding that assurance.”
“In the weeks and months ahead, I hope we can reach agreement on policies that help get safe, effective treatments to patients more quickly. That would be good for our economy—and could really make all the difference for so many families we represent.”
Full text of Senator Murray’s remarks:
“Thank you, Chairman Alexander. Dr. Collins and Dr. Hamburg, it is great to have you here. I have so much appreciation for the work both of you do to encourage innovation and improve health and wellbeing.
“Dr. Hamburg, as you step down from your role at FDA, I especially want to thank you for your many years of service. We are all very grateful for your leadership.
“I’m pleased to be working with Chairman Alexander and other members of the committee, on ways we can continue to advance biomedical innovation for patients.
“I believe we are at a truly fascinating moment in medical innovation right now. We increasingly have the ability to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ model of treatment, and instead, treat patients according to their unique characteristics.
“We’ve also seen enormous growth in life sciences as a source of economic strength and job creation.
“My home state of Washington is a great example. Life sciences are the 5th largest employment sector in my state and growing. These are good jobs, in an industry with global reach—and our country needs more of them.
“So it is critical that we secure and build on the United States’ leadership in medical innovation. To do this, I believe Congress has to look at how we can ramp up investment in the kind of research and development that helps drive this private sector growth. That’s something I will be very interested in exploring as part of our bipartisan effort in the coming weeks and months.
“Dr. Collins, I know you are very concerned about the impact sequestration has had at NIH. I am as well, and I know we will discuss that more today.
“I’m also eager to hear more about the many efforts at NIH to ensure the United States remains the global leader in biomedical research and discovery. The FDA drug and device approval process is another topic that I know will receive a lot of focus.
“Dr. Hamburg you recently announced that in 2014, the FDA approved 51 new drugs, which is the most in almost 20 years. You should be very proud of what that means for patients and families across the country. I look forward to hearing from you today about ways we can build on this progress.
“Another priority that I will be focused on is the needs of women and young children in the research, development, and approval process. When we looked at the FDA approval process in 2005, Senator Kennedy reminded us that when patients open up their medicine cabinet, they deserve every assurance that the medicines they take are safe and effective. That’s, of course, just as true today. So as our conversations about advancing medical innovation move forward, I will be guided by his vision of upholding that assurance.
“In the weeks and months ahead, I hope we can reach agreement on policies that help get safe, effective treatments to patients more quickly. That would be good for our economy—and could really make all the difference for so many families we represent.
“I want to thank our witnesses again for being here, and with that I’ll turn it over to Chairman Alexander.”
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