Foundation Praises Senate for Passage of Legislation for Safe and Effective Medicines for Children

May 24, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2012, Washington, D.C. –The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation welcomes progress toward reauthorization of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children’s Act (BPCA) and the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) – legislation that has already improved the health of children in the U.S. and globally.

The U.S. Senate voted today to reauthorize both pieces of legislation as part of a larger reauthorization of FDA user-fee programs. The Senate version closely mirrors the bill that has been voted out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, making important policy changes to improve the timeliness and quality of pediatric labeling of medications.

BPCA and PREA have been hugely successful in securing pediatric labeling for more than 400 drugs, including many of the drugs used to treat HIV. The impact of these labeling changes has been felt around the world, dramatically improving HIV treatment for infants and children. Without safe and effective treatment, half of children born HIV-positive will die by the age of two, and 80% will not live to see their fifth birthday.

This legislation will continue to support efforts to fight HIV in children, and to help achieve an AIDS-free generation.

The Foundation thanks Senators Jack Reed and Patty Murray, as well as Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Member Michael Enzi for their important leadership on an issue that is critical to the lives and health of children.

The Foundation is looking forward to working with both chambers as these bills are moved forward to ensure the strongest final legislation possible, especially with concern to the provisions that will advance pediatric drug studies in neonates.

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About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF):
The Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, and has reached more than 13 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It currently works at nearly 6,000 sites and in 15 countries to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities in order to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit pedaids.org.