Experts Skeptical of Federal Plan to Address Drug Shortages

Healthcare policy advisor Miranda Franco was quoted in a Law360 article discussing the widespread impact of drug shortages, especially on emergency medical services (EMS), and the challenges hospitals face in managing them. She highlighted the importance of strategic stockpiling, advocating for a careful selection of drugs based on their medical necessity and the resilience of their supply chains. Ms. Franco's points come in response to a proposal from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offering financial incentives to maintain buffer stocks of medications. She, along with other professionals interviewed, noted that the proposal does not address some of the key problems underlying drug shortage issues.

"For hospitals, while stockpiling and buffer inventories are a potentially attractive policy solution, it is important to prioritize which products are stockpiled, considering not only whether these products are medically necessary but also whether their supply chains are vulnerable," she said. 

READ: Experts Skeptical of Federal Plan to Address Drug Shortages (Subscription required)