House committee advances bill on pilot medication guidance

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced a bill that would direct the FAA to publish more detailed guidance on medications for pilots and other aviation professionals. The amended measure, H.R. 2592, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2026, cleared the committee by voice vote at a markup on Sept. 15.

The FAA would have one year from enactment to publish and keep current a list of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that airmen may use safely for medical-certification purposes. The list would also note typical periods during which an airman might need to limit or stop flying while adjusting to a medication. Drugs the agency classifies as "Do Not Issue" or "Do Not Fly" would be included. The information would be refreshed each year.

The agency already issues medication guidance for pilots and Aviation Medical Examiners, including the "Do Not Issue" and "Do Not Fly" categories. But the FAA has said it does not keep a single comprehensive list of acceptable medications, because certification decisions can turn on the underlying condition, dosage, drug interactions and other factors specific to an individual. Its current pilot guidance tells aviators to ask an Aviation Medical Examiner about particular medications or conditions.

Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., a sponsor, said when an earlier version was introduced in 2024 that pilots and air traffic controllers should be able to find out which medications they may take and which could affect their careers. He said the bill would make the FAA's approved list public and help aviators and their doctors weigh career and health considerations. The committee-approved text directs the FAA to consult with organizations representing the relevant groups.