Sen. Elizabeth Warren, House Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Rep. Lori Trahan originally wrote a letter to the company on Jan. 12. They were seeking answers to questions about when the company became aware of the shortage and how it has responded, including asking about increases to production.
J&J Chairman Joaquin Duato responded on Jan. 18. A copy of that response was recently provided by Pressley's office.
"This cold and flu season has been especially challenging given the high incidences of flu cases, combined with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19. The resulting 'tripledemic' has led to unprecedented demand for pain relievers and fever reducers," Duato wrote.
Duato explained the company began producing the medicines "24 hours a day, 7 days a week" in April 2022 and achieved a "50% increase in production year-over-year." He also announced plans to use a third party to further boost output in the face of "unprecedented demand."
The senator and three representatives, however, found parts of Duato's reply tough to swallow. On Thursday they sent another letter to Duato and J&J, demanding that certain questions be addressed.
"Key questions remain unanswered," the lawmakers wrote. "Perhaps one of the most notable omissions is a response to this question: Please provide any data that Johnson & Johnson has on regional and city-by-city impact in an aim of further understanding the scale and scope of this shortage."
The other question, which they called the "most pressing," asked: "By what date will normal availability of product in Massachusetts be restored?"
Warren, Clark, Pressley and Trahan are asking J&J to respond to the inquiries by Feb. 3.
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Original story HERE.
Permalink: https://katherineclark.house.gov/2023/1/wcvb