Blumenthal To FTC: Talk With FDA, Weigh Drug Shortages In Merger Reviews

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to consult with FDA to determine whether pharmaceutical mergers will result in drug shortages. The senator argues that FTC has done so in the past, but wants to know whether FTC has a written policy on consulting with FDA, and whether it believes it has the authority to require pharma companies to take steps to safeguard against shortages as part of the terms of a merger. Blumenthal's letter was...