Schering-Plough chairman and CEO Fred Hassan has set out an agenda for the newly elected US Congress when it convenes in January.

In remarks to the Cardiovascular Summit of more than 150 cardiovascular experts in advance of the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions, Hassan said the lawmakers have a “moral obligation” to play for the long term. 

Hassan called on the new Congress to recognize that biopharmaceutical research is vital to the success of the US economy.

Hassan said the key to sustaining biopharmaceutical research is to preserve the strength and independence of FDA.