Lawmakers Press FDA about IV Drug Shortages

A bipartisan group of 30 senators and 64 representatives Friday asked Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., to take all available action to address current intravenous saline shortages affecting hospitals across the country. “To avoid any further harm to consumers, we request that the FDA use every authority at its disposal to address this crisis and present a plan to ensure immediate and sustained production of IV bags that also provides sufficient guidance to mitigate cost increases,” the letter states. “We understand the FDA has taken steps to attempt to remedy this crisis by allowing the importation of saline products from other countries and by also approving new saline products. However, providers in our states have voiced concerns over the uncertainty of when these products will become available and when a long-term solution to this shortage will be implemented.” The letter was spearheaded by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Del. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR), and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).