SAFE Drugs Act of 2026

Summary

Safeguarding Americans from Fraudulent and Experimental Drugs Act of 2026 or the SAFE Drugs Act of 2026 This bill provides for increased oversight of drug compounding and imposes statutory limits on compounded drugs that are essentially copies of commercially available drugs. Currently, subject to certain requirements, compounded drugs (i.e., drugs that are mixed or altered to meet patient needs) do not require Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Additional limits apply to the compounding of drugs that are essentially copies of commercially available drug products. Under the bill, a compounded drug is essentially a copy of a commercially available drug product if (1) the compounded drug contains any active ingredient found in a commercially available drug product, and (2) there is no change made for an individual patient that results in a significant difference between the compounded drug and the commercially available drug. (The FDA’s current definition of the term also addresses dosage strength and route of administration.) The bill increases the frequency at which a licensed pharmacist or physician may compound a drug that is essentially a copy of a commercially available drug to 20 times per month. Current FDA policy allows four such prescriptions per month. The bill also imposes annual reporting requirements on physicians, facilities, and pharmacies (except hospital-based pharmacies) that compound certain drug products for out-of-state patients more than 20 times per month. Further, the bill subjects certain large-scale outsourcing facilities (i.e., FDA-registered facilities that compound in bulk) to regular inspection and reporting requirements.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions · U.S. Senate

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• H.R. 6509SAFE Drugs Act of 2025Related bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Jul 27, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

2. Jul 27, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

3. Jul 27, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

4. Jul 27, 2026

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar Under General Orders. Calendar No. 524.

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 524.

   U.S. Senate

5. Jul 22, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.