Vizient comments to FDA on list of essential medicines, medical countermeasures and critical inputs
Vizient, Inc. submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applauding the agency’s efforts to publish a list of essential medicines, medical countermeasures and critical inputs to help prepare for the next potential public health emergency.
Notably, the FDA identifies 228 essential medicines and medical countermeasures, and 96 medical device countermeasures, such as diagnostic testing kits and supplies and personal protective equipment, among others. In publishing the list, FDA also requested stakeholder feedback, to which Vizient responded.
In our comments, Vizient supported the FDA’s work to respond the Executive Order in August, which directed the FDA to identify the List of Essential Medicines, Medical Countermeasures and Critical Inputs and work to ensure their availability through domestic production. Like the FDA, we recognize the need to work proactively to identify medicines, devices and other resources that are most needed for patients in U.S. acute care medical facilities.
Vizient also provided specific insights to the agency based on our ongoing work in developing and updating our Vizient Essential Medications list, developed in conjunction with our members and first published in January 2020. In our comments, Vizient noted our more extensive inclusion of oncology and pediatric focused medications as areas for future consideration as FDA continues to review and enhance their list.
“The identification and recognition of essential medicines, medical countermeasures and critical inputs is an important and meaningful step by the FDA to prepare for a future public health emergency as well as support for creating a more resilient supply chain overall,” Steven Lucio, senior principal, pharmacy solutions for Vizient. “We appreciate FDA’s work and look forward to support any future iterations of the list.”
