Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), vice-chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, today issued the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at a hearing titled, “21st Century Cures: The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Report on Drug Innovation:

“The Subcommittee has aggressively pursuing the 21st Century Cures Agenda. 

“The accompanying bipartisan effort to listen to scientists, doctors, researchers, patients and government agencies to find how we can continue to lead the world in scientific discovery that ultimately leads to cures, treatments and devices will improve human health and alleviating human suffering. 

“In September 2012, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) issued a ‘Report to the President on Propelling Innovation in Drug Discovery, Development, and Evaluation.’ 

“The report provided recommendations on how to ensure we are doing everything we can to capture the vast amount of knowledge we have gained in the last few decades and ensure that knowledge is translated into cures that will make it to patients. 

“The report found many of the same themes we have heard before in this Committee. 

“While our scientific knowledge has significantly grown the promise of that knowledge has not been fully realized.

“Their recommendations also mirror familiar suggestions, including building off existing authorities to accelerate therapeutics and ensure management of regulatory agencies appropriately balances benefits and risk. 

“When this effort was launched we said we wanted to hear from everyone and I am pleased that we are evaluating the advice being given to the President in this area.

“I look forward to the hearing, which I suspect will be the first of many, and to participating in this initiative.”

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