GPhA proposes new initiative to target drug shortages

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association proposed Thursday the creation of a new initiative to combat the problem of drug shortages.

Calling it a multistakeholder initiative to accelerate the recovery of critical drugs in short supply, the GPhA said the Accelerated Recovery Initiative would call for an independent third party to gather current and future supply information from stakeholders for products; use the information to identify current and potential supply gaps, focusing on products with an expected shortage time longer than 90 days; and involve a high-level "SWAT team" within the Food and Drug Administration to respond quickly to shortages.

The ARI would bring together manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, group purchasing organizations and the FDA.

"The generic industry has taken a leading role in responding to this crisis, and the ARI marks a significant step in those efforts," GPhA president and CEO Ralph Neas said. "This type of multistakeholder collaboration is exactly what is required to respond to this crisis. While this remains a complex issue that cannot be solved overnight, the ARI would significantly enhance our ability to reverse the drug shortages currently afflicting patients and prevent further ones from occurring."