In December 2011, John M. Maris, MD, director of the CHOP Research Institute’s Center for Childhood Cancer Research, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in a full committee hearing entitled “Prescription Drug Shortages: Examining a Public Health Concern and Potential Solutions.”

Dr. Maris provided insight on CHOP’s experience with drug shortages as well as the impact of shortages and drug substitutions on patient care. The government affairs team assisted Dr. Maris with preparing his written and oral testimony.

As a follow-up to Dr. Maris’s testimony in December 2011 on the prescription drug shortage crisis; on April 6, 2012, Dr. Maris submitted comments to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on their draft bipartisan legislation. Among other requirements, the legislation would:

  • Require manufacturers to provide more notice to providers of an impending shortage
  • Allow the FDA to expedite the review process for a drug on shortage
  • Require an FDA review of regulations, guidance and policies and an annual report to Congress on drug shortages

Despite the national focus on the drug shortage crisis in the last year, CHOP has seen an increase in the number of drugs on short supply.