The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research issued its 2012 guidance schedule, including guidance documents covering biosimilars, use of multiple endpoints in clinical trials, development of drugs in combination and others.

The House passed H.R. 3606, a capital formation package that will benefit emerging growth companies by providing a five-year on-ramp to the public market, raising the SEC's Regulation A cap to $50 million, increasing the SEC registration shareholder threshold to 1,000 and opening the door to crowd funding. The bill now will go to the Senate.

The Senate unanimously approved reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, S. 1855. It still needs House approval before it goes to the president.

The Senate passed S. 1886 to stiffen the penalties for counterfeit drugs and referred it to the House.