Republican Congressman House oversight and accountability Committee On Friday, it sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf, requesting documentation and staff-level clarification on the agency’s role in alleviating drug shortages.
largely 130 types of medicine The FDA says some drugs are currently in short supply, including generic cancer drugs, stimulants like Adderall, and antibiotics like amoxicillin.
“FDA is failing to ensure that vitally important medicines remain on pharmacy shelves,” the Republicans’ letter said.
In response, an agency spokesperson said Friday: “The public should be assured that FDA is working closely with many manufacturers and other companies in the supply chain to ensure that certain products are not affected by intermittent or reduced supplies. “We want you to be reassured that the impacts are understood, mitigated and prevented or mitigated.” ”
The spokesperson also emphasized that the agency does not manufacture medicines and cannot force drug companies to make or distribute changes to their products.
DEA Administrator Ann Milgram similarly made this point in a letter issued Friday, listing steps the agency is taking to alleviate the problem. Continued stimulant shortage.
Milgram said in his letter that 17 of the 18 manufacturers involved have agreed. increase production However, it is unclear when this increase in production will affect store shelves.
He also announced policy changes aimed at preventing future shortages, including requiring manufacturers to apply for quota allocations to produce controlled substances on time. Quarterly basis Not every year.
