Oversight Democrats Demand Answers from Pharma Regarding Widespread Medication Shortages
Members of the House Oversight Committee have recently taken action to address medication shortages and price gouging in the pharmaceutical industry. The committee has sent letters to three major pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer, Sandoz, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, demanding answers and a briefing about the nationwide shortages affecting certain drugs.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee, led by Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md), released a report in December 2021 after a three-year investigation into the pharmaceutical industry. The report concluded that certain companies had significantly raised prices of common brand-name drugs at a rate nearly four times higher than inflation from 2016 to 2020. This investigation serves as the foundation for the committee’s current actions.
The oversight Democrats are requesting information related to the shortages from the drug manufacturers by March 6, 2024. They aim to identify the root causes of these shortages and find practical solutions to address them, ensuring that all medications are easily accessible to those who rely on them.
One of the main concerns highlighted in the letters is the shortage of medications used to treat cancer. Pfizer and its subsidiaries, major manufacturers of drugs like carboplatin, cisplatin, and methotrexate, have been asked to provide a briefing and information regarding ongoing shortages and allegations of price gouging. These shortages have forced hospitals and oncology practices to ration doses or resort to less desirable alternatives for treatment. In some cases, patients have even had to undergo amputations due to the unavailability of necessary prescriptions.
The oversight committee also raised concerns about the shortage of the common antibiotic, amoxicillin. Sandoz, one of the top manufacturers of powder amoxicillin, has experienced a shortage since October 2022. Sandoz attributed this shortage to market conditions, with low price points leading to manufacturers exiting the market. The committee urges Sandoz to continue producing sufficient amoxicillin to meet seasonal demand, despite lower financial incentives. They request information from Sandoz to better understand the root causes of the shortage and to identify practical solutions.
Lastly, Teva Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest manufacturers of Adderall, has been questioned about the shortage of Adderall and its generic equivalents since October 2022. The oversight Democrats express concern over the prolonged shortage of this medication, which has left patients struggling to treat conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, binge-eating disorder, and narcolepsy for over a year. They emphasize the impact of this shortage on patients’ lives and urge Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide an explanation.
The Epoch Times reached out to Pfizer, Sandoz, and Teva Pharmaceuticals for comment, but no responses have been received thus far.
The actions taken by the House Oversight Committee highlight the urgency of addressing medication shortages and price gouging in the pharmaceutical industry. These shortages have had a significant impact on patients’ access to essential medications, leading to rationing, alternative treatments, and even extreme measures like amputations. It is crucial for pharmaceutical companies to provide the necessary information and explanations to help identify the root causes of these shortages and find practical solutions.
The committee’s investigation into the pharmaceutical industry’s pricing practices serves as a basis for their demands. The report released in December 2021 revealed alarming price increases for common brand-name drugs, far exceeding inflation rates. By holding pharmaceutical companies accountable and demanding transparency, the committee aims to ensure that all medications are easily accessible to those who rely on them.
Moving forward, it is imperative for pharmaceutical companies to cooperate with the committee’s requests for information and briefings. Addressing medication shortages requires collaboration between industry stakeholders and policymakers to find long-term solutions. Patients should not have to suffer due to systemic issues within the pharmaceutical industry.
The House Oversight Committee’s actions are a step in the right direction towards ensuring that medication shortages are resolved and that patients receive the treatments they need. By shining a light on these issues and demanding answers from pharmaceutical companies, they are advocating for the well-being and accessibility of healthcare for all Americans.
