S.932 - Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025" (S.932) aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to enhance research into molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations. It focuses on additional authorities for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding molecularly targeted cancer drugs.
The bill includes provisions for extending the authority to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases. It also mandates reports to Congress and studies by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the effectiveness of these measures.
Sponsored by Senators Mullin and Bennet, the bill addresses the need for improved pediatric cancer treatment options and incentives for pharmaceutical companies to invest in this area.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is to accelerate the development and approval of drugs and biological products for pediatric cancer treatment. This will be achieved through enhanced research, additional FDA authorities, and extended priority review voucher programs.
It will also result in increased data collection and reporting on the effectiveness of these initiatives, providing valuable insights for future policy decisions. The bill aims to incentivize pharmaceutical companies to focus on rare pediatric diseases, potentially leading to new treatments and improved outcomes for children with cancer.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve the standard of care for pediatric cancer patients by promoting innovation and expediting the availability of targeted therapies.
Potential Benefits
- Accelerated Drug Development: Expedites the development and approval of molecularly targeted cancer drugs for pediatric use.
- Increased Research: Encourages more research into pediatric cancer treatments through additional FDA authorities.
- Incentivizes Innovation: Extends the priority review voucher program, incentivizing pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for rare pediatric diseases.
- Improved Data Collection: Mandates reports and studies to assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures, leading to better-informed policy decisions.
- Potential for New Treatments: Aims to bring new and improved treatments to children with cancer, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Increased Drug Costs: Expedited approval processes and incentives could lead to higher drug prices, potentially limiting access for some patients.
- Limited Scope: Focuses primarily on molecularly targeted therapies, potentially neglecting other important areas of pediatric cancer research.
- Delayed Applicability: Amendments apply only to applications submitted three years after enactment, delaying immediate benefits.
- Administrative Burden: Increased reporting requirements for the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the GAO could create an administrative burden.
- Uncertainty of Effectiveness: The actual impact of the priority review voucher program on incentivizing drug development for rare pediatric diseases remains to be seen.
Constitutional Alignment
The "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025" aligns with the US Constitution through its promotion of the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. Specifically, it aims to improve public health by encouraging the development of treatments for pediatric cancer.
Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides the basis for regulating drugs and medical devices, including those used in cancer treatment. The Act does not infringe upon individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Furthermore, the Act's provisions for reporting to Congress and studies by the GAO ensure accountability and transparency, aligning with the principles of responsible governance.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).