This bill renews and updates the government's ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies through 2028. It strengthens the systems and organizations that handle disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other health crises by improving how federal agencies, hospitals, and local health departments work together and share information.

The bill makes practical changes to help during emergencies. It allows the government to safely extend the shelf life of emergency medicines and vaccines so they don't go to waste. It also requires drug manufacturers to give the FDA earlier warning when medicines might run out, so the government can plan ahead and prevent shortages. Additionally, the bill gives the FDA stronger power to recall dangerous drugs if needed.

Overall, this affects public health workers, hospitals, and ultimately everyday people by making sure the country is better organized and equipped to handle the next health emergency—whether that's a pandemic, natural disaster, or other crisis. It's essentially an update to existing emergency preparedness laws to make them work more effectively with modern challenges.

Protecting PAHPA Act of 2023

Schrier, Kim

Protecting Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2023 or the Protecting PAHPA Act of 2023This bill extends through FY2028 and modifies various programs and activities that support public health preparedness and response. The bill also addresses matters concerning shortages of drugs and medical devices and recalls of drugs.For example, the bill modifies<ul><li>activities of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority;</li><li>grants to support preparedness and response activities of health departments, hospitals, and public health laboratories;</li><li>programs to facilitate the response of volunteer health providers and other professionals during disasters and emergencies;</li><li>efforts related to the management and operation of the Strategic National Stockpile;</li><li>federal partnerships and initiatives for collaborating and coordinating during public health and other emergencies and with the development of medical countermeasures and diagnostic testing capacity; and</li><li>requirements for collecting and reporting public health and health care data and information.</li></ul>Additionally, the bill makes various changes to address and mitigate shortages of drugs and devices, including by (1) setting out a process to safely extend the expiration date of certain medical countermeasures and other life-saving drugs, and (2) expanding requirements for drug manufacturers to notify the Food and Drug Administration concerning potential shortages. Further, the bill expands the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to order the recall of controlled substances to cover all drugs.