OH HCR29

The Ohio House of Representatives urges Congress and the Federal Food and Drug Administration to take action to prevent prescription drug shortages, including life-saving and life-sustaining medications.

Drug shortages adversely impact patient care by forcing substitution with alternative drugs and delaying medical treatment, while increasing health care costs and burdening providers.

Drug shortages stem from multiple factors including difficulties acquiring raw materials, manufacturing problems, regulatory issues, and business decisions affecting the drug supply chain.

Generic drugs, oncology medications, and injectable drugs are documented as particularly vulnerable to shortages.

The resolution calls on Congress and the FDA to require drug manufacturers to notify the FDA of discontinuances or manufacturing interruptions, establish incentives for at-risk drug production, and implement safeguards to prevent future shortages.