The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has a drug tracker and has found 130 drugs in short supply. That short supply has led the Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to send a letter of concern to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
“Current shortages include important drugs commonly used to treat infections, respiratory illnesses, heart failure, psychiatric conditions, and cancer, and include drugs such as amoxicillin, penicillin, albuterol, Adderall, and cisplatin/carboplatin,” the letter said. “Earlier this year, there was a shortage of children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The cancer drug shortage has gotten so severe that the FDA temporary authorized the importation of drugs produced by non-FDA approved Chinese manufacturers”
The Republican committee members said this is approaching crisis levels and noted a survey done in July that said 8 in 10 hospitals and pharmacists are rationing drugs and putting off appointments because of the shortages.
The letter — signed by committee by Kentucky Republican and Chairman James Comer and health subcommittee Chairwoman Lisa McClain of Michigan — says the FDA has failed to make sure “vitally important” pharmaceuticals remain on the shelves of pharmacies.
“There are a variety of reasons for the current state of drug shortages apart from pandemic supply chain delays, including an over-reliance on offshore manufacturing facilities, surging demand for pharmaceuticals, and diminishing manufacturing of generics,” the letter added.
The FDA said it received the letter and will issue a response before the requested staff-level briefing on November 9th and the documents request of November 16th.
“While the agency does not manufacture drugs and cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug, the public should rest assured the FDA is working closely with numerous manufacturers and others in the supply chain to understand, mitigate and prevent or reduce the impact of intermittent or reduced availability of certain products,” an agency spokesperson told the news agency, The Hill.
Source link: The Hill — https://bit.ly/40vBGtW
Source link: House Oversight Committee — https://bit.ly/40r0oLE
