In an attempt to quell drug shortages that are affecting patients around the country, President Barack Obama ordered the Food and Drug Administration to adjust policies in order to streamline the process of getting drugs into patients’ hands.

MSNBC reports the three-pronged executive order tells the FDA to speed up the process to approve adjustment of production of drugs suffering shortages, broaden its reporting of potential shortages and give the Department of Justice more information about possible price gouging and fixing.

The White House bypassed congressional approval for the measures, but the administration says it will continue to push for bipartisan legislation to ease the problem. Obama said quick action was needed to address the shortages because the issue is a “slow-rolling” problem that could erupt into a disaster without quick, decisive action.

Obama orders FDA to help ease drug shortages [MSNBC]

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