Health Officials Issue Statement on Drug Shortages >> NCI Cancer Bulletin for September 20, 2011 - National Cancer Institute

 

Health Officials Issue Statement on Drug Shortages

Following a September 9 meeting of stakeholders to discuss solutions to the national drug shortages, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh issued a statement expressing their commitment to minimize drug shortages, protect patients, and identify solutions to “this serious problem.”

The FDA is analyzing the problem and will release a report with recommendations. One suggestion is a mechanism for manufacturers to report impending supply disruptions and discontinuation of drugs, which could help to curb drug shortages and improve the continuity of the drug supply.

The FDA is working with drug manufacturers to counteract the shortages. For example, the agency is expediting requests to qualify new manufacturing sites, new production lines, and new raw material suppliers to avert shortages.

“There is no quick solution that solves this critical public health issue; addressing it will require a multifaceted approach,” wrote Drs. Hamburg and Koh. “All parties involved in the supply of drugs to Americans have a responsibility to make sure patients have access to the drugs they need.”

Discussion of the drug shortages will continue at the FDA’s public meeting on September 26.

Additional information on this topic can be found on the FDA drug shortage website.

Further reading: “Continued Shortage of Chemotherapy Drugs Causing Concern”

NCI Cancer Bulletin for September 20, 2011 - National Cancer Institute