FDA Seeks Extended Pandemic Powers to Track Device Shortages (1)

The FDA has prevented about 350 device shortages thanks to authorities granted under Covid response laws that will expire next week, the agency’s head told a Senate panel.

Robert M. Califf, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, indicated he’d like to see the agency’s powers to manage drug and device shortages extended beyond the Covid-19 public health emergency that’s set to end May 11.

“However, we know medical device shortages occur in many situations that are unrelated to the PHE, including natural or human made disasters, recalls, geopolitical conflicts, production shutdowns and cybersecurity incidents,” Califf said.

The commissioner’s remarks ...