During FDA User Fee Reauthorization, Casey Pushed for Report to Hold Federal Government, Drug Makers Accountable in Drug Shortage Efforts / Casey Has Fought to Better Warn Patients, Healthcare Providers About Potential Shortages / Report Indicates Progress in Efforts to Prevent Critical Drug Shortages
Washington, DC- Following a push by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its inaugural report on efforts to combat drug shortages. During the FDA reauthorization process in 2012 Casey fought for a provision in the bill that would require the FDA to issue regular reports to Congress on their work to combat drug shortages. Senator Casey has called on drug makers and the FDA to do more to combat shortages of life-saving drugs including providing better warning to patients and healthcare providers when shortages become a possibility.
The report indicates that FDA and drug makers are making progress in combating drug shortages. While there were 251 drug shortages in 2011, there were only 117 in 2012 and 38 in the first three quarters of 2013. FDA directly attributes this decrease due to Congressional action and an executive order from the President that was based on Senator Casey’s legislation. The additional authority given to FDA has enhanced the agency’s ability to prevent or mitigate shortages; as a result, FDA was able to prevent 140 shortages from January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2013.
“This first ever accounting by the FDA of the government’s work to combat drug shortages indicates that we are heading in the right direction, and that the legislation I supported is helping FDA prevent more drug shortages,” Senator Casey said. “Knowledge is one of the most important tools for combating problems associated with drug shortages, which are a growing threat to public health in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. I’ll continue to press the Administration to stay vigilant on this issue. ”
The full report can be viewed here: LINK
###
