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National Health Council and NJ Congressman introduce MODDERN Cures Act to help develop "dormant cures"
WASHINGTON — Rep. Leonard Lance of New Jersey has joined forces with the National Health Council to introduce new legislation known as the MODDERN Cures Act. MODDERN stands for Modernizing Our Drug & Diagnostics Evaluation and Regulatory Network, and the act strives to do just that.
There are many cases where the patent for a new drug compound expires before or soon after the product is brought to market. Because of this, possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, lupus and even cancer, plus many rare diseases and conditions, get “put on the shelf” and lie dormant, permanently unused.
The MODDERN Cures Act would create a regulatory process to encourage the commercial development of these “dormant” compounds.
The act will also push for the creation of new diagnostic tests to better identify the best possible treatment for a patient.
“More than 133 million Americans – over 40% of the people in this country – have at least one chronic disease or disability,” says National Health Council President Myrl Weinberg. “Despite the roughly $80 billion spent annually on medical research and development, many conditions lack effective treatments. This bill will advance personalized medicine by getting the right medicines to the right people. It will ensure that science, not patent law, drives the development of new therapies.”
The National Health Council is made up of more than 100 health-related organizations, including the Alpha-1 Foundation and 50 other patient advocacy groups.
To read more on the MODDERN Cures Act and its impact, click here.
