Drug shortage in U.S. getting worse, can other countries help?
The drug shortage situation in the U.S. is something every person in America should be aware of, because depending on your health and the drug you may need, you may be out of luck. Can this really be happening in America? Yes!
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are 150 “medically necessary” drugs in short supply, double the number from five years ago. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is urging the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry to address this shortage of prescription medications, especially drugs meant for treating cancer.
Klobuchar plans on introducing legislation next month that would allow the FDA to require pharmaceutical companies to give advance notice about drug shortages or alert the FDA when a company decides to stop manufacturing a certain drug. It would also allow the FDA to expedite the process of importing safe drugs from other countries.
“I believe the senator's proposed legislation includes some important and reasonable action on the part of the federal government,” says Mike Stephens, former CEO of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. “Regulations adopted during past shortages of flu vaccine should be extended to other classes of pharmaceuticals. Requiring an early warning from manufacturers when production of a medication may be impacted only makes good sense. I believe reporting this to the FDA is an important first step.”
Ed Howe, former president and CEO of Aurora Health Care, says the more sunshine on this issue the better. “I would not limit the help to just cancer drugs. I still think if there is demand, supply will follow. But are government regulations part of the supply problem? Are the pharmaceutical companies manipulating supply to pump up profits? Drug costs seem to be going up faster than other costs. How come?” These are questions that need to be considered.
Stephens says the FDA needs to be able to make an assessment of the potential magnitude of a shortage and advise physicians and pharmacists when indicated. The availability of information will allow the competitive market and healthcare providers to seek alternative solutions. Stephens adds that FDA intervention to expedite availability of a class of drugs should be reserved for the most serious shortages.
Israel and India both have excellent drug manufacturers. “I have no problem with importing drugs if we are sure we have quality checks in place,” explains Howe. “If we allow certain drugs to enter the market from other countries, the problem will resolve itself.”
Mike Stephens blogs regularly at Action for Better Healthcare.
