Several House members introduced a bill that would require a label to be placed on vaccines that were manufactured using human fetal or embryonic cell lines. Any vaccine labeled as “derived from or manufactured using electively aborted human fetal or embryonic tissue” would require written consent from a patient before being administered. The bill, H.F. No. 376, has been referred to the committee on Health Policy and Human Services Policy and Oversight.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill into law that would establish rules surrounding professional licensing and certification exams. The new law also authorizes anyone damaged by a “subversion practice” relating to a professional exam to seek relief in court. The law specifically outlaws “subversion practices” including paying someone to take an examination in someone else’s name, selling any portion of past exams, or copying another exam-taker’s answers.
The House and Senate each passed a bill that would set up a “product stewardship” program designed to provide guidelines for how drug producers should collect and dispose of unwanted drugs. Under the terms of the bill, H.F. No. 1217, no drug producer or wholesaler would be able to sell drugs in the state if it doesn’t participate in such a program by Jan. 1, 2012. The program would require participants to dispose of unwanted drugs at hazardous waste facilities, report the amount and weight of unwanted drugs collected, and pay for the administrative and operational costs associated with it, among other provisions. Failing to participate in a product stewardship program would result in a written warning upon first offense. Subsequent violations would result in a penalty of $10,000 per day, beginning 60 days after the written warning.
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
Photo from flickr user KeithBurtis
