Legis Daily

FORWARD Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-2858| House 
| Updated: 5/22/2019
Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (12)
David Schweikert (Republican)Tom O'Halleran (Democratic)Tom Cole (Republican)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Karen Bass (Democratic)Paul Cook (Republican)Ann Kirkpatrick (Democratic)Ken Calvert (Republican)Greg Stanton (Democratic)TJ Cox (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Duncan D. Hunter (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Finding Orphan-disease Remedies With Antifungal Research and Development Act of 2019 or the FORWARD Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs to support the research of endemic fungal diseases and the development of antifungal drugs. (Endemic fungal diseases are fungal infections, e.g., Valley fever, that tend to to occur in specific geographic areas and affect particular at-risk populations, e.g., older adults.) Specifically, the bill establishes the Endemic Fungal Disease Working Group to review, coordinate, and make recommendations about the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) efforts to address endemic fungal diseases. The working group is comprised of experts from both relevant federal agencies and the private sector. The bill requires HHS to award grants for fungal disease research to local hospitals, higher education institutions, public health agencies, and nonprofit organizations. HHS also must establish an accelerated research program modeled after its research program to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria. The bill further requires the National Institutes of Health to develop a publicly-accessible server using blockchain technology to securely facilitate the sharing of fungal disease clinical research data. (Blockchain technology uses cryptography to create a digital ledger of transactions that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large, decentralized, and permanent network.) Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must prioritize the review of drugs to treat endemic fungal diseases and fast track the approval of such drugs at the request of applicants. The FDA must issue draft and final guidance related to the approval of antifungal products and therapies, including those that diagnose, treat, or prevent Valley fever.
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Timeline
May 21, 2019
Introduced in House
May 21, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 22, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 4, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-3593
Introduced in Senate
  • May 21, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • May 21, 2019
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • May 22, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • May 4, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-3593
    Introduced in Senate

Health

Related Bills

  • S 116-1567: FORWARD Act of 2019
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationDrug therapyFood and Drug Administration (FDA)Government information and archivesHealth facilities and institutionsHealth information and medical recordsHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesMedical researchMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPrescription drugsPublic-private cooperationResearch administration and fundingResearch and development

FORWARD Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-2858| House 
| Updated: 5/22/2019
Finding Orphan-disease Remedies With Antifungal Research and Development Act of 2019 or the FORWARD Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs to support the research of endemic fungal diseases and the development of antifungal drugs. (Endemic fungal diseases are fungal infections, e.g., Valley fever, that tend to to occur in specific geographic areas and affect particular at-risk populations, e.g., older adults.) Specifically, the bill establishes the Endemic Fungal Disease Working Group to review, coordinate, and make recommendations about the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) efforts to address endemic fungal diseases. The working group is comprised of experts from both relevant federal agencies and the private sector. The bill requires HHS to award grants for fungal disease research to local hospitals, higher education institutions, public health agencies, and nonprofit organizations. HHS also must establish an accelerated research program modeled after its research program to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria. The bill further requires the National Institutes of Health to develop a publicly-accessible server using blockchain technology to securely facilitate the sharing of fungal disease clinical research data. (Blockchain technology uses cryptography to create a digital ledger of transactions that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large, decentralized, and permanent network.) Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must prioritize the review of drugs to treat endemic fungal diseases and fast track the approval of such drugs at the request of applicants. The FDA must issue draft and final guidance related to the approval of antifungal products and therapies, including those that diagnose, treat, or prevent Valley fever.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 21, 2019
Introduced in House
May 21, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 22, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 4, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-3593
Introduced in Senate
  • May 21, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • May 21, 2019
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • May 22, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • May 4, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-3593
    Introduced in Senate
Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (12)
David Schweikert (Republican)Tom O'Halleran (Democratic)Tom Cole (Republican)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Karen Bass (Democratic)Paul Cook (Republican)Ann Kirkpatrick (Democratic)Ken Calvert (Republican)Greg Stanton (Democratic)TJ Cox (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Duncan D. Hunter (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • S 116-1567: FORWARD Act of 2019
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationDrug therapyFood and Drug Administration (FDA)Government information and archivesHealth facilities and institutionsHealth information and medical recordsHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesMedical researchMedical tests and diagnostic methodsPrescription drugsPublic-private cooperationResearch administration and fundingResearch and development