FDA acts to prevent shortages of drugs made in Puerto Rico

In the wake of Hurricane Maria, the Food and Drug Administration is working to avoid critical shortages of drugs made in Puerto Rico, which is home to dozens of drug and device manufacturing facilities, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., announced yesterday. “Since Friday, we have undertaken swift and extensive efforts to prevent or limit the loss or shortage of multiple drugs critical to American patients due to the challenges related to refrigeration, storage and transportation,” he said. “…We are aware of several other instances where we may soon face critical shortages if we don’t find a path for removal or ways to get production back up and running. That is why I have directed FDA staff to create a hurricane shortages task force that will identify potential issues and creative solutions.”