Washington, DC – USAgainstAlzheimer’s applauded the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act by the full House of Representatives today, moving the package a step closer to becoming law.
USAgainstAlzheimer’s is a strong supporter of the legislation and has worked with the Energy & Commerce Committee and individual members on a number of provisions included in the package. These include:
- Increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration;
- Establishment of the NIH Innovation Fund with a focus on high-risk, high-reward research and including matching fund requirements;
- The establishment of the public-private partnership Council for 21st Century Cures and its charge to collaborate with similar entities like the Innovative Medicines Initiatives (IMI) in the European Union;
- A heightened focus on NIH strategic planning and priority setting; and
- Additional FDA reforms intended to accelerate the pace of drug review.
USAgainstAlzheimer’s also appreciates the committee referencing Alzheimer’s as a condition that could be included within the neurological surveillance system that would be established via the bill, addressing a concern raised by the organization in its prior comments.
“Alzheimer’s is a family epidemic that too few people are talking about. Getting treatments to families faster requires acceleration of scientific innovation into safe, effective and accessible therapies,” said George Vradenburg, founder of USAgainstAlzheimer’s. “The 21st Century Cures Act is a game-changer that will help do just that. We commend the House of Representatives for its passage, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Senate on a companion bill so that this much-needed initiative can be enacted into law as quickly as possible.”
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USAgainstAlzheimer’s is an innovative and relentless advocacy organization demanding a transformative solution to Alzheimer's. Driven by the suffering of millions of families, USAgainstAlzheimer’s presses for greater urgency from government, industry and the scientific community in the quest for an Alzheimer's cure – accomplishing this through effective leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and strategic investments. We are committed to ending Alzheimer’s by: accelerating the means of prevention and treatments; increasing the resources committed to stopping Alzheimer’s; and delivering dramatic improvements in the systems to support those living with Alzheimer's and their care partners, while continuing our fight for a cure.