Obama To Announce Drug Shortage Resolution

submitted by Luis Kun

Drug Information Association (DIA) - October 31, 2011

A front-page story in the New York Times (10/31, A1, Harris) reports, "President Obama will issue an executive order on Monday that the administration hopes will help resolve a growing number of critical shortages of vital medicines used to treat life-threatening illnesses, among them several forms of cancer and bacterial infections." The order "instructs the F.D.A. to do three things: broaden reporting of potential shortages of certain prescription drugs; speed reviews of applications to begin or alter production of these drugs; and provide more information to the Justice Department about possible instances of collusion or price gouging." The Times notes that it is "a modest effort that, while possibly helpful, is unlikely to resolve the problem soon or entirely."

        US Faces Serious Medication Shortage. The Boston Herald (10/31, Bernhard) reports, "The country faces a critical shortage of many chemotherapy drugs, forcing some patients to delay their treatments or switch medications." But "it's not just cancer drugs. There are more than 200 drugs on the" FDA's "shortage list - including antibiotics, nausea medication and drugs to treat high blood pressure." Because of the shortage, "half of the country's hospitals report having to resort to buying drugs off the 'gray market,'" according to a survey from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. The FDA said "there's only so much they can do to prevent drug shortages, including finding and regulating drugs from overseas."

        Anesthesiologists Find Growing Drug Shortage. Medscape Today (10/29, Helwick) reported, "Drug shortage is an issue throughout the healthcare system today, but it is particularly concerning for anesthesiologists, because more central nervous system (CNS) drugs are in short supply than any other class of drugs." And "the Drug Shortage Survey of 1373 ASA members conducted in April revealed that 90% of respondents reported a shortage of at least 1 drug and 98% had experienced a shortage during the previous 12 months."

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