The House approved H.R. 5651, the Food and Drug Administration Reform Act, in a 387-5 vote. The bipartisan bill includes provisions to help address the nationwide drug shortage issue. In particular, as a result of the efforts of 16 EMS/CCT-related organizations, the report language accompanying the bill clarifies that drugs used for treatment in emergency care situations, including resuscitation, are to be included in the FDA's drug shortage notification process. Furthermore, Rep. Burgess (R-TX) secured an additional component of the GAO study in the legislation that would evaluate how providers are compensating for a lack of access to preferred drugs in caring for their patients and whether there are impediments to their ability to adjust accordingly that can be ameliorated.
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Drug Shortage