Current federal legislation

Current legislative proposals before Congress that will affect the practice of pharmacy are discussed. Revisions to the Medicare and Medicaid programs and amendment of the HMO Act of 1974 are being considered. Major legislation includes a bill that will regulate the activities of clinical laboratories and a bill that establishes a Presidential commission to oversee biomedical and behavioral research. Also proposed is a reorganization of the FDA which would create a new agency to assume responsibility for scientific and enforcement duties related to drugs and devices. Regulation of vitamins, health manpower and drug utilization improvement are also discussed.