What was the primary goal of the FDA Modernization Act of 1997?

The primary goal of the FDA Modernization Act of 1997 was to improve drug review times. This legislation was enacted to streamline the approval process for new medications, thereby allowing patients faster access to new treatments. The act recognized the need to reduce delays in the drug approval process without compromising safety, and it introduced various measures intended to expedite the evaluation of pharmaceuticals.

Among these measures were provisions that emphasized the importance of timely reviews and the encouragement of innovation within the pharmaceutical industry. By bolstering the efficiency of the FDA’s processes, the act aimed to bring products to market more quickly, addressing public health needs and reflecting advances in medical science.

Other aspects of the act did touch upon topics such as compounding and the role of advertising, but the central focus was clearly on improving the drug review timeline, allowing for quicker patient access to important medications. This reflects a broader trend in modernizing regulatory frameworks to adapt to advances in scientific and medical practices.