PASTEUR Act Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance Act of 2023
The bill sets out to form a Committee on Critical Need Antimicrobials, comprising various health organizations to guide and oversee the program's implementation. Within the first year of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is mandated to establish a grant program for health facilities that may help to judiciously utilize antimicrobial drugs. This program aims to enhance monitoring and reporting on antimicrobial resistance and use through the National Healthcare Safety Network. Additionally, the bill enables transitional subscription contracts for antimicrobial developers, which could stabilize and incentivize the production of needed drugs while ensuring their timely availability.
HB2940, known as the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance Act of 2023, aims to establish a program for developing antimicrobial innovations that target severe infections and address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. The bill seeks to amend Title III of the Public Health Service Act to create a structured framework that includes a subscription model for antimicrobial drugs that exhibit critical need characteristics. This initiative is a response to the urgent challenge posed by resistant pathogens that threaten public health.
There are potential points of contention surrounding the financial implications of the subscription model, as it carries substantial projected expenditures between $750 million and $3 billion over its duration. Critics may argue about the allocation of federal funds towards this subscription model when addressing the effectiveness and oversight of the contracts involved. Moreover, there are concerns relating to how the bill ensures continued accessibility and equity in treatment modalities, especially regarding populations that may face barriers to access within the healthcare system. Transparency and regulatory compliance will be crucial to mitigate any adverse consequences from the program.