In other FDA-related developments, members of Congress are promising an overhead in 1996 of the way

In other FDA-related developments, members of Congress are promising an overhead in 1996 of the way the FDA deals with approval of drugs and medical devices. Today, it takes an average of 12 years and $359 million to bring a new drug onto the market. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan., who heads the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, is backing legislation that will reform the role of the FDA in the testing and review of new drugs and medical devices. Rep.Thomas Bliley, R-VA, who heads the House Commerce Committee, also promised swift action, saying he`s concerned that American companies and jobs are being forced overseas "where the climate is more conducive to innovation.

Judi Hasson

Washington Correspondent