President Obama is directing the Food and Drug Administration to take action to curb drug shortages, an escalating problem that has endangered patients and led to the emergence of what many refer to as “a grey market” for drugs in shortage. Today, Obama issued an executive order instructing the FDA to take certain actions, which are detailed in a report posted today on the FDA website. President Obama also offered support for the bipartisan House and Senate legislation that would require drug manufacturers to give the FDA prior notice of a shortage, an important first step in helping to curtail drug shortages.

ASCO will be providing additional detail and resources on the content of the executive order later this afternoon on its ASCO in Action news website. ASCO will continue to push for measures that ease oncology drug shortages, but is pleased the Administration is taking action to help ensure patients with cancer receive the life-saving treatments on which they rely. The Society hopes the executive order will put additional pressure on Congress to move on the House and Senate legislation, which has not moved to a floor vote in either house since it was introduced earlier this year.