DeGette Statement On FDA Drug Shortage Announcement
February 21, 2012
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) today issued the following statement in response to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) announcement of steps to increase the supply of critically needed cancer drugs, and build on President Obama's Executive Order to help prevent future drug shortages. DeGette is the author, along with U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL), of the "Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act," a bill to improve patient safety by reducing shortages of life-saving drugs.
"Today's announcements from the FDA mean patients will receive the medical care they critically need, and demonstrate why it is so important the agency be armed with the necessary tools to protect America's patients.
"The FDA's actions to bring life-saving methotrexate to children and families battling leukemia, shows that when they are given appropriate tools, it's clear they can effectively coordinate a communications network and get drugs that are in short supply into the hands of hospitals, doctors, and patients.
"Since the President's Executive Order in October, encouraging voluntary notification, FDA has prevented 114 drug shortages. So we know that advanced notification works. But to truly be most effective, Congress must grant FDA the authority it needs to require notification for all life-saving drugs; and manufacturers that do not comply should be penalized for putting patients at risk.
"Today's announcements are good news for patients, but we must ensure we take every possible step to protect the health of America's families. That is why I was so pleased to hear so many calls today to pass the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act. It is critical that we make sure the FDA has the necessary authority, resources, and ability to act as soon as possible to prevent sudden shortages of life-saving medications."
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