Sec. 734. Study of drug shortages and impact on members of the Armed Forces
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The Congress finds the following: Shortages of critical medical drugs used for surgery and emergency care have increased significantly during 2017 and 2018. Reports from physicians have identified critical drugs such as dilaudid, bupivacaine, morphine, and epinephrine as important commonly needed drugs in shortage. Health care providers for the Armed Forces use the same drugs as civilian health care providers and are experiencing similar shortages in surgical facilities. Such shortages could compromise the quality of care available to members of the Armed Forces.
The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study of shortages of drugs used in the surgical and emergency settings of military facilities— to determine if the quality or safety of military health care has been compromised by such shortages; to identify and examine supply chain issues related to the availability of drugs used for surgery and emergency care; and to identify and examine the impact of shortages on care for military patients. In conducting the study under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and such other stakeholders as the Secretary considers relevant to the study, including physician organizations and drug manufacturers.
Not later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress describing the study under this section and setting forth any conclusions and recommendations resulting from the study.