US military and FDA agree special fast track for novel medicines needed in war

The US Food and Drug Administration has launched a joint initiative with the US Department of Defence to expedite development of medical products for use by the US military.

The agreement comes in the wake of a new law which authorizes the DoD to request, and the FDA to provide, assistance to speed up development of products deemed useful for the military.

That bill was introduced by lawmakers amid criticism over the ability of the US military to secure supplies of a freeze-dried plasma product, which other militaries have been using widely for years.