Patients, long passive participants in the drug research and development process, are playing a more active role, and the value of their input is being recognized by researchers, drugmakers, and regulators. The 21st Century Cures Act, sweeping legislation now pending in Congress, would help solidify that role by providing opportunities for patient input into the regulatory process. We spoke to Kim McCleary, managing director of FasterCures, about the legislation, why it matters, and how it will change the role of patients.