In a media teleconference on Monday, Oct. 31, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced a new executive order by President Obama to address prescription drug shortages.
The main purpose of the executive order is to ensure that the FDA receives earlier notification of any impending shortages in order to take appropriate action. Peggy Hamburg, FDA commissioner, emphasized the importance of extending the notification period, especially when the discontinuation of manufacturing of single-source drugs is involved.
Sebelius cited the prevention of 137 threatened drug shortages by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, in the past 21 months. She noted that patients still were being forced to switch from their preferred drugs, and in some instances, they were having to end drug treatment before the recommended time. Sebelius noted that demand for prescription drugs continues to outpace supply.
The order also allows for increasing the number of FDA staff; and has the FDA work with the Dept. of Justice to investigate the "grey market" and possible profiteering related to drug shortages.
The issue of prescription drug shortages has been of concern to local hospital systems for a few years now. See
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