The president's measure would allow only one 30-month delay for each drug application.

The ultimate hope is to develop new drug applications.

The agency is also taking more time to review new drug applications.

Only a tiny fraction of generic drug applications raise any patent issues, he said.

The agency said it had substantially reduced the approval time for new drug applications.

For example, the law requires that the agency review new drug applications within six months.

He joined the agency in 1973 as a medical officer, reviewing new drug applications.

For four years, she reviewed drug applications as a medical officer and then team leader.

By 1995, 68 trials were conducted per drug application.

For instance, he said, the laws require that the agency review new drug applications within six months.