To much hype, the Obama administration has issued an executive order (EO), allegedly designed to reduce the growing problem of drug shortages. This is undoubtedly a complex subject and there are a variety of factors at work, but the text of the EO reveals something quite different from what most reports suggest, namely that the administration plans to work with industry to make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to address the problem of product shortages.
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In essence, the EO calls for three things: for more reporting by manufacturers when they think there will likely be shortages of their drugs; for expedited regulatory review in certain, limited circumstances; and for the FDA and the Department of Justice to seek out criminal activity, such as hoarding or price gouging.
The first idea — early reporting — may well be helpful. But it is unlikely to solve the underlying issues. And there is also some question as to whether the FDA has the administrative authority to require earlier notification without the prerequisite legislation to grant that authority. In addition, there are some concerns from the industry that these notifications be kept confidential, so as not to give a competitive advantage to rival companies.
As for the second recommendation, the expedited reviews are carefully delimited in the EO text, and specifically fail to mention product approvals. This makes it likely that the FDA will look only at expedited reviews in the specific areas mentioned, namely “reviews of new drug suppliers, manufacturing sites, and manufacturing changes.” The FDA already has the authority to do this, but the EO gives them a basis on which to ignore the suggestion as well, as the expedited reviews are to take place whenever FDA “determines that expedited review would help to avoid or mitigate existing or potential drug shortages.” In other words, the EO grants the FDA the authority to determine when it considers itself to be part of the problem. Given this out, companies should not count on the EO reshaping the FDA into a user-friendly agency anytime soon.
The third point, encouraging the FDA to work with the DOJ to detect illegal activity by pharmaceutical companies, is not really anything that the FDA or DOJ need much encouragement to pursue, and nor is it likely to encourage greater cooperation from companies targeted in this manner.
At the same time, a new report by the American Action Forum examines a new Obama-administration proposal to require manufacturer rebates to the government for drugs provided to certain low-income seniors via Medicare’s Part D Program. According to the study, this proposal will cost some 230,000 pharmaceutical-related jobs, as well as lead to “a reduced level of research [that] will reduce the pace of new drug development, and potentially lead some valuable candidate medicines to go undeveloped.” While not directly linked to shortages, this rebate policy seems unlikely to do much to fix the problems the administration is having with shortages — not to mention jobs or pharmaceutical development — anytime soon.
Oh my. Is this administration profoundly naïve or just plain arrogant? Or is this EO just symolism? A well-written article. This administration is so government-centric, so believing in the virtues of government, it looks to be a religion. Snap my fingers, issue an EO, and it is so. And if the dictate fails, of course the government is not to blame.
You hit the nail on the head. Government is a religion for these people. All things considered, the worship of a golden calf is probably less damaging to those not inclined to acquiesce to the practice.
In my experience there are several other main factors that lead to drug shortages. One is a shortage of raw materials over which the pharmaceutical industry has no control. Another is when the regulatory demands and de facto price controls render certain drugs unprofitable to produce. Another is when petty and clinically inconsequential regulations shut down manufacturing.
The simple reason is that the EO is CYA for the coming drug shortages due to the Obama administration dictating what those drugs are worth. When the drug companies decide to not put as much effort into making unprofitable drugs, the Obamanoids can point to the EO and say "We tried to work with them, but those evil corporations are all about profit!"
President Obama signed an executive order Monday telling the Food and drug administration to reduce drug shortages. The dilemma, said the president, results in price gouging and presents dangers for sufferers. House Republicans have dismissed the effort as mere campaign talk. Obama signs executive order to address drug shortages. It demands on a wider reporting of potential shortages of certain prescription drugs; to speed up the application process of making the drugs; and more transparency in reporting instances of price gouging to the Justice Department.
