Hatch Closing Act: OTC Monograph Reform Legislation?

The Utah Republican has been instrumental during his more than 40 years in office in passing legislation central to the growth of the OTC drug and dietary supplement industries. But the expansion of the OTC market is stifled by FDA's monograph system for making more ingredients available, a process agency officials say no longer works.

Sen. Orrin Hatch's legacy as a pharmaceutical industry champion could grow in his final year in office if he puts his support behind reforming FDA's OTC monograph system, legislation that could be as influential in the consumer health space as any he's already shepherded.

The Utah Republican, who announced his retirement on Jan. 2, has been instrumental during more than 40 years in office in passing legislation across a wide variety of topics and...

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