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Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) hosted a roundtable with local parents, advocates and health care professionals to discuss the drug and medical device shortage crisis in the Tampa Bay area and across the United States. Mini Casters
Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of drug shortages facing our nation is at a five-year high, with a reported 30% jump in the number of drugs in shortage in 2022. Shortages have real-world and life-threatening impacts for families across the country. When drugs or devices are in short supply, lifesaving care can be delayed or canceled, leaving patients with treatment options that are less effective or more expensive.
“The shortage of life-saving medications and medical devices has become a national crisis, forcing families to take less than their prescribed dosage or risk going without the care they need,” said Rep. Castor. “This nationwide crisis was worsened by manufacturing and supply chain disruptions driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we work to build a more resilient supply chain, we must address these life-threatening shortages that persist to this day. I’m proud to be leading the effort in the Congress, alongside dedicated advocates like Laura Bray, to get our neighbors the medical care they need. I encourage my Republican colleagues to join me in fighting to ensure no family finds themselves in this dire situation again.”
To fight for solutions, Castor introduced H.R. 3807, the Medical Device Shortage Reduction Act of 2023. This commonsense legislation would require manufacturers of critical medical devices to report supply interruptions likely to lead to shortages, similar to what is required of drug manufacturers already. FDA had this authority during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and it allowed the agency to take action on more than 350 potential or actual shortages of medical devices, including CPAP machines, nasal swabs, and IV bags.
Last month, Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) called on Republicans to include Castor’s Medical Device Shortage Reduction Act in a June legislative hearing to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
“We have the opportunity to act now on commonsense proposals, like my Medical Device Shortage Reduction Act, to prevent providers, patients, and their families from being told a drug or device isn’t available. Our current approach of addressing crises episode-by-episode is not sufficient, and Republicans must join House Democrats to give American families the certainty and quality of care they need and deserve,” said Rep. Castor.
Laura Bray, Chief Change Maker for Angels for Change, testified to Castor’s Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee in May to illustrate her non-profits focus to end drug shortages, inspired by her personal experience with pharmaceutical supply chain issues during her daughter’s fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
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