Bloomberg View: The Hidden Dangers of Drug Shortages
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The outbreak of fungal meningitis has exposed more than one dangerous weakness in the U.S. drug supply network. Inadequate oversight of large-scale compounding pharmacies might be the most glaring; it was such a facility that produced the moldy steroid injections that have caused, at last count, 24 deaths and 317 illnesses.
Yet the outbreak also calls attention to the growing problem of drug shortages. From 2005 to 2011 the number of drug shortages in the U.S. rose from 61 to 251, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Until federal regulators can bolster the supply chain without compromising quality, we can’t be assured of reliable access to safe medicines.