legislation called the MEDS Act, which
legislation. The CREATES Act encour-
provide top-quality care to patients in
provides the FDA with additional
ages generic drug competition and will
every situation.
authority to address drug shortages,
help end anti-competitive abuses utilized
strengthens manufacturing reporting
by some brand name manufacturers. In
requirements and develops new market-
the year ahead, HSCA will continue to
Healthcare data standards
based incentives to help ensure a stable
advocate for policy solutions that in-
In an increasingly connected world,
supply of critical prescription drugs.
crease competition and foster innovation
healthcare supply chain data standards
This bill will help provide significant
throughout the marketplace.
play a critical role in helping to deliver
relief for patients struggling to access their medications. In 2019, HSCA submitted comments to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) providing recommendations on ways to help control narcotics abuse while also protecting provider access to injectable opioids that are critical to patient care. HSCA also weighed in with FDA as the Agency continues to foster improvements to medical device sterilization processes and work to reduce the healthcare industry’s use of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) for sterilization. As we
Patients have long relied on generic drugs to reduce costs and increase access to essential medications, and price spikes for commonly used drugs create hardship for patients and providers alike.
begin a new year, HSCA will continue to support the MEDS Act and work with policymakers to pursue solutions to pre-
Emergency preparedness
important supply chain data to clinicians
vent and mitigate drug shortages.
In 2019, the country experienced a
and patients. In 2019, HSCA’s Committee
wave of natural disasters and other
for Healthcare eStandards (CHeS) submit-
emergencies that put stress on hospi-
ted comments to the American National
Drug pricing and generic drug competition
tals and healthcare providers as they
Standards Institute (ANSI) providing
served affected communities. GPOs
recommendations on healthcare supply
Significant price spikes for critical gener-
were on the front lines of those
chain data standards to help improve accu-
ic drugs and ongoing prescription drug
emergencies, providing support to
racy, efficiency, and patient safety. HSCA
shortages continue to jeopardize patient
healthcare providers and working with
will continue to advocate for policies that
access to affordable healthcare. Patients
manufacturers to identify and locate
accelerate the adoption, implementa-
have long relied on generic drugs to
supplies of much-needed resources.
tion, and active usage of industry-wide
reduce costs and increase access to es-
As we enter 2020, HSCA will work
data standards for improving efficiencies
sential medications, and price spikes for
with lawmakers and healthcare sup-
throughout the supply chain.
commonly used drugs create hardship
ply chain stakeholders to provide key
for patients and providers alike. HSCA
insights into improving emergency
members remain committed to helping
supported the CREATES Act, which
preparedness and offer strategic policy
hospitals and healthcare providers deliver
was ultimately passed at the end of 2019
recommendations that will enable the
the most effective and affordable care
as part of Congress’ year-end spending
healthcare industry to continue to
possible to the patients they serve.
As we head into 2020, HSCA and its
Khatereh Calleja, J.D., is the president and CEO of Healthcare Supply Chain Association (HSCA).
The Journal of Healthcare Contracting | February 2020
43