Posted by Michael Wonder on 17 Oct 2019
Have FDA actions to ease generic drug shortages taken effect yet?
16 October 2019 - On Wednesday, the FDA said fiscal year 2018 saw a record number of generic drug approvals.
Fiscal year 2018 saw a record number of generic drug approvals, the FDA said, amid continuing concerns about shortages of critical drugs and rising costs.
Drug shortages are an increasing problem—witness the news this week that the chemotherapy drug vincristine, a mainstay in fighting paediatric cancer, is in such short supply that doctors may be forced to start rationing, according to published reports.
Such care interruptions have become more common, due to shortages of older, off-patent drugs and insufficient generic competition. Besides creating patient care issues, the shortages also limit potential cost savings.
