WASHINGTON, D.C. (MCT) — President Barack Obama on Monday is pushing drugmakers and federal regulators to do more to address dangerous shortages of critical medicines, sidestepping a deadlocked Congress that has not moved legislation to help patients suffering from deadly illnesses.
In a limited executive order signed Monday, the president directed the Food and Drug Administration to press drug companies to more quickly report shortages to federal regulators, an early warning that advocates say can help mitigate problems.
The order, which administration officials said does not give the FDA any new authority over drugmakers, also ordered regulators to expedite review of new manufacturing facilities.
And it directed the FDA to work with the Department of Justice to step up investigation of increasing reports of price gouging in the pharmaceuticals market.
