Effective date

(a) In general Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Regulations; transition period (1) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, through notice and comment rulemaking, promulgate such final regulations as are necessary to implement this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including any such regulations required elsewhere in this Act or in amendments made by this Act. (2) Transition period In promulgating the regulations required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish appropriate transition periods for covered entities, manufacturers, contract pharmacies, and other affected parties to come into compliance with the requirements imposed by this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Such transition periods shall not be less than 180 days from the date of enactment for any substantive new compliance obligation imposed on a covered entity or manufacturer by this Act, unless a longer or shorter transition period is specifically provided elsewhere in this Act. (c) Construction Any reference in this Act to the date of enactment of this section shall be construed as referring to the date of enactment of this Act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.