As drug shortages swell, FDA seeks more clarity from manufacturers

During dozens of drug shortages, which include cancer medications, emergency treatments and 14 others after a U.S. pharma company closed, the FDA drafted a guidance asking manufacturers to alert the agency on drug supply disruptions. 

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If the guidance is approved, drug manufacturers would be legally required to immediately notify the FDA of permanently discontinued products and interruptions “likely to lead to a meaningful disruption in supply,” according to the draft published April 6 in the Federal Register. 

The draft guidance also asks for notifications on permanently discontinued manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and possible supply disruptions of APIs.

At a Senate committee hearing in March, pharmaceutical supply experts testified about decadeslong issues with drug supply chains, including the lack of transparency from drug manufacturers and how it leads to a “never-ending game of drug shortage Whac-A-Mole,” one expert said.

The agency is asking for comments on the draft until June 5.

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