MMC
10-31-2011, 06:02 AM
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-order-fda-help-reduce-drug-shortages-100126538.html
AP – 7 mins ago Oct 31st 2011.....
WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting once again ahead of Congress, President Barack Obama is directing the Food and Drug Administration to take steps to reduce drug shortages, an escalating problem that has placed patients at risk and raised the possibility of price gouging.
A White House official said the president planned to sign an executive order Monday instructing the FDA to take action. The order would be the latest in the president's campaign to move on initiatives that do not require congressional approval.
Last year, the FDA reported 178 drug shortages, and the agency says it continues to see an increase in shortages this year. These scarcities tend to affect cancer drugs, anesthetics, drugs used in emergency medicine, and electrolytes needed for intravenous feeding.
Obama also will announce his support for House and Senate legislation that would require drug makers to notify the FDA six months ahead of a potential shortage, the official said. Under current regulations, drug manufactures are only required to notify the FDA if medically necessary drugs are being discontinued. Notification of shortages is strictly voluntary.
The FDA says major causes of drug shortages are quality or manufacturing problems, or delays in receiving components from suppliers. Drug makers also discontinue certain drugs in favor of newer medications that are more profitable. The FDA does not have authority to force drug makers to continue production of a drug.....snip~
Is this his strategy to nit-pik his accomplishments in order to Showcase that he is an effective legislator? So just what does this Executive order do? Telling the FDA to take steps to reduce drug shortages? What steps can they take?
The article then states he will back legislation by Congress. That he will announce that he supports Congress Enacting legislation that would require drug makers to Contact the FDA 6 months prior to a shortage. But if he is signing an Excutive Order telling the FDA to take steps. Then what does he need to show that he supports Congress passing legislation on the same issue for?
Also isnt it true that drug medication haves an expiration date? Wouldnt this affect that order. Should drug companies when they make the drug and it has an expiration date. Send the info then to the FDA. In which then the FDA would know that drug is not in stock or being made anymore? Thoughts?
AP – 7 mins ago Oct 31st 2011.....
WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting once again ahead of Congress, President Barack Obama is directing the Food and Drug Administration to take steps to reduce drug shortages, an escalating problem that has placed patients at risk and raised the possibility of price gouging.
A White House official said the president planned to sign an executive order Monday instructing the FDA to take action. The order would be the latest in the president's campaign to move on initiatives that do not require congressional approval.
Last year, the FDA reported 178 drug shortages, and the agency says it continues to see an increase in shortages this year. These scarcities tend to affect cancer drugs, anesthetics, drugs used in emergency medicine, and electrolytes needed for intravenous feeding.
Obama also will announce his support for House and Senate legislation that would require drug makers to notify the FDA six months ahead of a potential shortage, the official said. Under current regulations, drug manufactures are only required to notify the FDA if medically necessary drugs are being discontinued. Notification of shortages is strictly voluntary.
The FDA says major causes of drug shortages are quality or manufacturing problems, or delays in receiving components from suppliers. Drug makers also discontinue certain drugs in favor of newer medications that are more profitable. The FDA does not have authority to force drug makers to continue production of a drug.....snip~
Is this his strategy to nit-pik his accomplishments in order to Showcase that he is an effective legislator? So just what does this Executive order do? Telling the FDA to take steps to reduce drug shortages? What steps can they take?
The article then states he will back legislation by Congress. That he will announce that he supports Congress Enacting legislation that would require drug makers to Contact the FDA 6 months prior to a shortage. But if he is signing an Excutive Order telling the FDA to take steps. Then what does he need to show that he supports Congress passing legislation on the same issue for?
Also isnt it true that drug medication haves an expiration date? Wouldnt this affect that order. Should drug companies when they make the drug and it has an expiration date. Send the info then to the FDA. In which then the FDA would know that drug is not in stock or being made anymore? Thoughts?