STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer is calling on the FDA and Congress to take action in response to the growing threat of the nationwide drug shortage.
“There is no doubt about it: Doctors are on the verge of panic because some of the most critically-needed cancer drugs are in short supply, and patients are also getting worried,” said Schumer (D-N.Y.).
As stated in a press release from Schumer’s office, there are over 295 drugs, ranging from cancer medication to over-the-counter drugs for infections and asthma that are currently in short supply. Other drugs affected by the shortage include ADHD medicine, anesthetics used during surgery, amoxicillin and saline.
To combat this crisis, Schumer is pushing for the FDA to activate a plan that limits the detriments of this shortage. He also called for congressional legislation, as patients can no longer experience delays on needed treatments.
“It is unimaginable that in a place like the United States, a person with cancer may be told we are short on the drug that may save your life. That is why I am calling on the FDA to do everything in its power to mitigate this shortage,” Schumer said.
The nation is approaching record high levels of drug shortages. Between 2021 and 2022, shortage levels increased by 30%, including both hospital based and pharmacy drugs. Schumer attributes the main causes of the shortages to insufficient manufacturing, lack of transparency and reliance on foreign drug companies.
Schumer’s legislative plan includes four points of action, including more transparency with medical facilities and patients when it comes to when drug shortages are approaching, making sure there are enough drug manufacturers, improving drug production quality and safety, and promoting domestic drug production as opposed to relying on other countries.
“The bottom-line here is that the drug shortage panic is a complex problem, but one thing is very clear — our current system is broken…
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