Congressional Witnesses Say Generic Drug Shortages Getting Worse

Expert witnesses discussed the precarious nature of the U.S. generics supply chain during a House subcommittee hearing Thursday, highlighting how unless reforms are made the country is at risk of decreased access to key medications including chemotherapy drugs.

“The task before us today is to examine the drug supply chain and try to better understand the root causes of drug shortages so our health care providers — and the patients that rely on them — are not having to change recommended treatments due to lack of supply,” said Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in opening remarks before the Subcommittee on Health.

Rodgers noted she doesn’t believe the FDA will “solve these issues, and in some cases, I think FDA may play a role in worsening a shortage through unclear communication” and that she is also concerned the “FDA may not look domestically for production before turning outside the U.S. during a drug shortage.”

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