BGOV Bill Analysis: H.R. 1262, Pediatric Cancer Drug Trials

The Food and Drug Administration could require trials of new drugs that are used in combination with approved active ingredients to treat childhood cancer under a modified version of H.R. 1262, which would also extend other programs meant to spur development of cures for rare diseases.

The FDA currently can only direct pediatric cancer trials of single drugs, which are less effective at treating cancer than combination therapies, according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee report on the bill. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the US.

“No child should have to ...