Which act allows for a provision to fast track some New Drug Applications (NDAs)?

The FDA Modernization Act of 1997 is pivotal because it introduced various provisions aimed at speeding up the drug approval process, including the option to fast track certain New Drug Applications (NDAs). This act was designed to enhance innovation in the development of new therapies and to expedite the availability of important new medications to the public. Specifically, it established the "Fast Track" designation for drugs that treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need, thereby allowing for more frequent communication with the FDA and a priority review timeline.

In contrast, the Kefauver-Harris Amendment primarily focused on drug efficacy and safety requirements post-thalidomide tragedy but did not directly address fast-tracking NDAs. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provides the foundational framework for FDA regulation of drugs but does not contain provisions specifically aimed at expediting the approval process. The Controlled Substances Act regulates the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances and does not pertain to the fast-tracking of NDAs. Therefore, the selection of the FDA Modernization Act of 1997 as the act that permits fast tracking of NDAs is accurate and reflects its significant role in modernizing the drug approval process.