2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 177
BY SENATOR MILLS
A RESOLUTION
To create and provide for the Task Force on Medical Device Distribution in Louisiana which
shall review existing regulations and propose revisions of regulations and the
elimination of duplicate regulations related to the distribution of medical devices
while remaining focused on the protection of the health and safety of Louisiana
citizens.
WHEREAS, the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of medical devices is
strictly regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and
WHEREAS, medical devices are atypical in the manner in which they are developed,
manufactured, and provided to patients by a licensed healthcare provider and require a
unique blueprint for regulation; and
WHEREAS, presently, the FDA is implementing a Unique Device Identification
system and other measures to enhance the safety and performance of medical devices; and
WHEREAS, several states, including California, Florida, and Maryland, have
recently eliminated state medical device regulations that are duplicative of federal
regulations; and
WHEREAS, the current budget issues in Louisiana present an opportunity to identify
state operations and regulations that would reduce state expenditures, if eliminated; and
WHEREAS, a task force is needed to review existing regulations and report its
findings and make recommendations regarding the balancing of the regulation of medical
device distribution with the goal of protecting the health and safety of Louisiana citizens.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby establish the Task Force on Medical Device Distribution in Louisiana to review
existing regulations and propose revisions of regulations and the elimination of duplicate
regulations while remaining focused on the protection of the health and safety of Louisiana
citizens.
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 177 ENROLLED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the membership of the task force shall consist
of the following:
(1) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or her designee.
(2) The president of the Louisiana Senate, or his designee.
(3) The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, or his designee.
(4) The executive director of the Louisiana Board of Drug and Device Distributors,
or his designee.
(5) A representative of the Advanced Medical Technological Association.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the executive director of the Louisiana Board
of Drug and Device Distributors, or his designee, shall serve as the task force chairperson.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the task force members shall be
communicated to the chairperson no later than August 15, 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force chairperson shall call the first
meeting of the task force no later than September 1, 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Board of Drug and Device
Distributors shall keep minutes of the task force meetings and shall provide any
organizational and secretarial support necessary to accomplish the work of the task force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
without pay or per diem.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
its findings and any recommendations for legislation to the Senate and the House of
Representatives no later than December 15, 2015, at which time the task force shall
terminate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, the executive director of the
Louisiana Board of Drug and Device Distributors, and the Advanced Medical Technological
Association.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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