House GOP Launches Investigation into FDA's Handling of National Prescription Drug Shortage

House Republicans question FDA's role in the ongoing crisis, with nearly 130 drugs, including vital treatments for cancer and antibiotics, in short supply across the U.S. GOP letter cites concerns over over-reliance on offshore production and seeks briefing on mitigation strategies by Nov. 9.

• The House GOP is demanding answers from the FDA regarding the current shortage of nearly 130 drugs in the U.S., including generic cancer medicines and antibiotics such as amoxicillin.
• House Republicans, in a letter to the FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, expressed concerns about the FDA's role in ensuring vitally important pharmaceuticals remain on pharmacy shelves and in mitigating drug shortages.
• A response from the FDA emphasized its ongoing work with manufacturers to understand, mitigate, prevent or reduce the impact of intermittent or reduced availability of certain products. However, the FDA noted that it does not manufacture drugs nor can it compel drugmakers to make or change the distribution of products.
• DEA Administrator Anne Milgram announced that 17 out of 18 relevant manufacturers had agreed to increase production of stimulants, a response to the ongoing stimulant shortage, although it’s unclear when this increased production will impact store availability.
• Republicans, including Oversight Chairman James Comer and Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairwoman Lisa McClain, argue that increasing domestic manufacturing must be part of the strategy to boost production and ensure product safety, suggesting that the nation's over-reliance on offshore manufacturing was a cause of the current situation.

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