Since the 21st Century Cures Act passed, FDA approvals have relied on fewer studies

Since the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for new medical products have relied on fewer studies, according to a study published Aug. 26, 2026, in the PLOS ONE by researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine Clinical Excellence Research Center, Oregon State University and UCLA, U.S.