Real-Time Manufacturing Volume Reporting Could Help Prevent Drug Shortages, Woodcock Tells Congress

31 Oct 2019

If the US FDA could track production, it could anticipate shortages – and national security threats from countries like China.

Made in China. Cardboard boxes with text made in China and chinese flag on the roller conveyor. 3d illustration - Illustration — need for domestic manufacturing redundancy stressed during house hearing • Source: Shutterstock

Real-time tracking of pharmaceutical manufacturing volume would go a long way toward helping the US Food and Drug Administration better anticipate drug shortages and drug-related national security risks, Janet Woodcock, director of the agency’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, told Congress 30 October.

However, such tracking would require legislation, she told a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing, because as it stands...