21st Century Cures Act: A Boon For Drug Companies, Research Programs

03:37

Updated December 07, 2016

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left, shakes hands with Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., center, and Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., right, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (Susan Walsh/AP)

The U.S. Senate voted to approve the 21st Century Cures Act on Wednesday afternoon. It is considered landmark legislation that would provide funding for research programs like Vice President Joe Biden’s moonshot against cancer.

It will also make significant changes in how drugs are tested and approved.

The act also passed in the House, and it's expected to be signed into law by the president.

NPR's Richard Harris (@rrichardh) joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson to discuss what this legislation will mean for drug companies, medical research and more.

This article was originally published on December 07, 2016.

This segment aired on December 7, 2016.

21st Century Cures Act: A Boon For Drug Companies, Research Programs

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