Ex-FDA chief blames drug shortage on Inflation Reduction Act.

Former FDA Commissioner Warns of Further Drug Shortages Due to Inflation Reduction Act

According to the FDA, there are currently 130 drugs in shortage, mostly sterile inject-able drugs used for cancer treatments and other critical medical needs. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb recently spoke on CBS News’ Face the Nation, warning that the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will only exacerbate this problem.

The Inflation Reduction Act Caps Drug Prices

Gottlieb explained that the Inflation Reduction Act will prevent generic drug manufacturers from being able to take price increases, even if they enter a market for the first time or spend a lot of money upgrading their facilities to comply with state-of-the-art regulations. This will result in manufacturers having to bear the costs themselves, leading to further drug shortages.

Inject-able Drugs are Especially Short

Gottlieb also explained that inject-able drugs are especially short because companies need to leave a margin to reinvest in manufacturing facilities and ensure high quality. When they don’t, things can go wrong, resulting in shortages. One example of an inject-able drug that has experienced an extreme shortage is Ozempic, a treatment for diabetes.

Conclusion

The Inflation Reduction Act may have unintended consequences, including further drug shortages. It’s important for policymakers to consider the impact of legislation on critical medical needs and work to find solutions that balance affordability with access to necessary treatments.

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