PASTEUR Act of 2023

Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance Act of 2023 or the PASTEUR Act of 2023

This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into subscription contracts for critical-need antimicrobial drugs, provides $6 billion in appropriations for activities under the bill, and contains other related provisions.

A manufacturer of a Food and Drug Administration-approved antimicrobial drug may apply to HHS to have the drug designated as a critical-need antimicrobial, and HHS may enter into a subscription contract for such a critical-need antimicrobial. The bill imposes certain requirements related to such contracts, including a mechanism to lower payments under the contract in certain instances to limit the manufacturer's revenue from the drug.

Furthermore, HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shall award grants to support efforts to encourage the appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs and efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. The CDC shall also track and assess data relating to antibacterial resistance and human antibiotic use and make such data publicly available.

HHS shall also establish a Committee on Critical Need Antimicrobials. The committee shall develop a list of prioritized infections for which new antimicrobial drug development is needed, among other duties.

Within six years of the bill's enactment, the Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress a study on the bill's effectiveness in developing priority antimicrobial drugs.

The PASTEUR Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 s 1355, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of promoting research and development in the field of infectious diseases. The bill seeks to establish a new program within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) called the Pandemic and Advanced Scientific Technologies for Emerging and Unknown Respiratory Viruses (PASTEUR) program.

The PASTEUR Act of 2023 aims to enhance the nation's preparedness for future pandemics by investing in cutting-edge research and technology to better understand and combat infectious diseases. The bill proposes funding for research on emerging and unknown respiratory viruses, as well as the development of new vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tools.

Additionally, the PASTEUR Act of 2023 includes provisions to improve coordination and collaboration among federal agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners in order to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative solutions to combat infectious diseases. The bill also emphasizes the importance of data sharing and transparency to facilitate rapid response to public health emergencies. Overall, the PASTEUR Act of 2023 represents a bipartisan effort to strengthen the nation's ability to respond to future pandemics and emerging infectious diseases through increased investment in research, technology, and collaboration.