SENATE BACKS FDA DRUG REVIEW SPEED-UP.(MAIN)

Byline: Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that would help speed new drugs and medical devices into the marketplace.

The bill to overhaul the Food and Drug Administration review process passed 98-2. But as the legislation moved to the House, disputes lingered on some issues, and some consumer groups continued to warn that safety was being sacrificed for speed.

Senate Labor and Human Resources Chairman Jim Jeffords, R-Vt., said the legislation marks the first substantial reform in the FDA in 30 years. ``What we have is going to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the FDA tremendously,'' he …