AHA calls for legislation to address chronic drug shortages

The American Hospital Association submitted a statement this week to the House Ways and Means Committee for a hearing on chronic drug shortages. AHA recommends Congress enact legislation to diversify manufacturing sites and sources for critical pharmaceutical ingredients and to support an increase in supply chain inventories for critical medication. In addition, AHA recommends developing a rating system for drug-maker quality-management processes; identifying essential drugs needing more domestic manufacturing capacity; and requiring drug makers to disclose where their products are being made and when demand for essential drugs spikes. The association notes the importance of protecting the supply chain so patients can receive continual access to medications, as well as to prevent hospitals from accruing additional costs in securing alternative therapies. (AHA News article, 2/6/24