Legislation making drug licensing easier for pharmaceutical manufacturers was approved Tuesday by a House committee.

The Health Committee voted unanimously for House Bill 2162 sponsored by Rep. Lisa Borowski, D-Delaware, creating a dual track for state and federal approval for new products.

HB2162 enables a manufacturer to apply for a state license when they seek approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for a new drug.

Currently, Pennsylvania requires pharmaceutical companies to obtain FDA approval before they apply for a state license. The FDA process takes longer than state licensing.

Under HB2162, companies would be required to confirm they have submitted an application to FDA or plan to do so within a year.

The committee amended the bill providing for a conditional state license during this period.

Pennsylvania has a sizable cluster of drug and biomedical companies based in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Borowski said the bill stems from a bipartisan House caucus interested in making Pennsylvania more competitive economically.

The licensing change will help companies get their product to the market quicker, she said.

Committee Majority Chair Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, said additional pharmaceutical companies are interested in making their headquarters in Pennsylvania.