Enzi/Barrasso 2-6-18
U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., joined 27 senators and 63 representatives in sending a bipartisan letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb regarding the current shortage of IV saline and other critical medical products.
The shortage was worsened by the devastation Hurricane Maria wrought on Puerto Rico’s many major manufacturing facilities and created nationwide concern during the height of a severe flu season. While the FDA has already taken immediate steps to address the shortage, Congress and the Administration must work in unison toward a long-term solution, the legislators said.
The lawmakers’ letter urges the FDA to use all tools at its disposal to address these dire shortages and requests information regarding the agency’s response to the shortage of IV saline. IV saline is used for critical medical procedures, including rehydration and delivery of medications.
The letter was led by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón, R-Puerto Rico.
Read the entire letter here.
A full list of additional cosigners can be found here.
