Political Quotes

“Mr. President, let me first begin my remarks by commending my friend and colleague from Minnesota for leading the way on this very important bill. There are so many issues that divide us in this Chamber. Surely, this is an issue that should unite us. It is not a Democratic issue. It is not a Republican issue. It is an issue of serious consequence to the American people and to our health care system. I would hope--and the reason Senator Klobuchar and I have come to the floor today--that we can act immediately to pass our bill, get it through the House, and send it to the President. Physicians, pharmacists, and patients throughout the country are struggling to cope with the surge in shortages of needed drugs which is causing significant disruption in health care and putting patients at risk. I share with my colleague from Minnesota her concern about this critically important problem. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the number of drug shortages has nearly quadrupled over the last 6 years, jumping from 61 products in 2005 to a record 231 by the end of November of last year. And there appears to be no end in sight. Many of the drugs in short supply are vital. They are used in hospitals and cancer centers for anesthesia, for chemotherapy, and for the treatment of infections. There are also continuing shortages of drugs used in emergency rooms and in intensive care units.…”