Obama Targets Prescription Drug Shortage

by Ari Shapiro, NPR

President Obama signed an executive order Monday afternoon to target shortages in certain prescription medications. The order instructs the FDA to address the shortages with more reporting about drug shortfalls, faster approval of new production, and added investigation of possible price gouging. It's one in a series of initiatives the White House is undertaking to highlight congressional inaction.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, October 31, 2011