Number of Drug Shortages Decreased, FDA Reports

October 3, 2012 4:52 PM

The number of drug shortages has decreased by almost 50% compared with the same time period last year, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports. Last year in September, there were over 180 drugs in shortage, and this month there are 100 drugs in shortage, reported Captain Valerie Jensen, RPh, associate director of the drug shortage program in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Improved quality by drug manufacturers contributed to the decrease, Jensen noted in a presentation at the American Osteopathic Association Health Policy Forum on September 21, 2012. More information about the decrease in shortages is available in a Medpage Today article. Additional background on the challenges of drug shortages and new FDA authorities to help reduce drug shortages is available in the October 2012 NABP Newsletter article “New Law Gives FDA More Authority to Prevent and Manage Drug Shortages; NABP to Collaborate on Behalf of Member Boards" (PDF).