ASA Endorses Drug Shortages Legislation

As part of its ongoing efforts to address drug shortages, ASA has endorsed the Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply (MAPS) Act, legislation that would help the federal government prepare for and mitigate future shortages by identifying pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities. The MAPS Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to update its Essential Medicines List and create a database mapping the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA). Companion legislation, S. 2364, was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), and Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN). 

ASA commends these efforts in Congress to address the chronic and increasing drug shortages that hospitals, health systems and patients are facing across the country.