Senators: DEA might be making drug shortages worse

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) are asking federal investigators to probe policies at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that could be contributing to shortages of critical drugs.

In a letter to the Government Accountability Office, Grassley and Whitehouse asked to "better understand any impediments to production or distribution" of drugs regulated by the Controlled Substances Act.

The DEA enforces the measure by limiting the manufacture of certain medications. Grassley is ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which governs the issue.

The letter described a concern that DEA policies "may impede the ability of physicians and healthcare providers to mitigate" drug shortages, especially in emergency situations.

"The Drug Enforcement Administration has to walk a fine line between managing dangerous controlled substances like painkillers and making sure there are adequate supplies for legitimate medicine," Grassley said in a statement. “More and more, emergency medical technicians report shortages of medicines they need in the field. 

"A non-partisan study by a neutral entity is needed to ensure that the proper balance is struck in the best interests of everyone involved,” he said.

The letter, dated May 3, was released Monday.

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