National Drug Shortages: Remedial Executive and Legislative Initiatives.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management
• Patient Care

Background:

• Medication shortages are a persistent issue in US healthcare, significantly worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Existing federal efforts to enhance pharmaceutical supply chain resilience have been insufficient.
• Drug shortages disrupt patient care and compromise national health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key executive and legislative initiatives from the 118th Congress and the Biden administration aimed at preventing future drug shortages.
• To highlight the need for continued policy action by the 119th Congress and the next presidential administration.

Main Methods:

• Review of proposed federal executive and legislative initiatives.
• Analysis of efforts to bolster the national drug supply chain.

Main Results:

• Previous initiatives to address drug shortages have not fully succeeded.
• The 118th Congress and Biden administration proposed several measures, but the problem persists.
• Further action is required from the upcoming 119th Congress and administration.

Conclusions:

• Mitigating national drug shortages requires sustained and effective policy interventions.
• Addressing medication shortages is critical for ensuring continuity of care and protecting national health.
• Urgent action is needed by policymakers to reform the pharmaceutical supply chain and prevent future shortages.