Obama Orders FDA To Crack Down On Drug Shortages

President Barack Obama signed an executive order Monday ordering the Food and Drug Administration to crack down on prescription drug shortages, the latest move in the new White House strategy to tackle issues without Congress.

“The shortage of prescription drugs drives up costs, leaves consumers vulnerable to price gouging and threatens our health and safety,” Obama said in a statement. “This is a problem we can’t wait to fix.”

According to data released by the White House, reports of drug shortages have tripled throughout the past decade.

Under the Executive Order, the FDA will have the authority to require drug manufacturers to report plans to discontinue medications earlier, a plan that would give medical professionals preparation time for possible shortages.

In addition, the order asks agency to cooperate with the Department of Justice to prevent price gouging or illegal stockpiling.

Obama noted that despite taking executive action, the White House will continue to work with Congress and the private sector to take additional action.