Provisions in the Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages (MEDS) Act, a bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), became law as part of the nation’s third COVID-19 emergency stimulus package.
“At a time when our healthcare system is overburdened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing doctors, nurses and patients should have to worry about is whether there will be an adequate supply of the lifesaving medications they need,” Sen. Collins said on April 8, noting that components of S. 2723 included in the new law “will help prevent disruptions and help increase the affordability and accessibility of prescription drugs.”
Sen. Collins sponsored S. 2723 in October 2019 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) to reduce drug shortages. Parts of that legislation were included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27.
“Given that 13 percent of the facilities making active pharmaceutical ingredients for the U.S. market are located in China, it is important for the FDA to have greater visibility into the drug supply chain,” said Sen. Collins, chairman of the congressional Aging Committee.
Portions of S. 2723 included in the CARES Act include prioritizing review of drug applications and inspections; requiring all drug manufacturers to report an interruption or discontinuance of a drug; and requiring manufacturers to maintain risk management plans for drugs that are life-supporting, life-sustaining, or intended for use in the prevention or treatment of a debilitating disease or condition, including drugs used in emergency medical care or during surgery, according to information provided by Sen. Collins’ office.