Recently, the world was made aware of the shortage of prescription drugs. Taking a serious note of the situation, the President of the US, Obama has decided to make the prescription drugs available.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed that this year there has been a shortage of 200 prescription drugs. The cancer patients were majorly deprived of drugs because of the shortage. FDA's Spokeswoman Shelly Burgess informed that shortage of medical utilities like injection has also caused a hindrance in providing treatment to patients.

As many as 15 deaths have resulted from the shortage of prescription drugs. The manufacturers of the drugs are accusing delay in getting raw material for the shortage. As the manufacturers are not getting raw material on time, it is causing a delay in producing drugs.

The FDA doesn't have the authority to ask drug manufacturers to report about the production situation. However, looking at the severity of the situation, the FDA is now asking the manufacturers to "voluntarily notify the agency of potential disruptions for a broad range of prescription drugs - as soon as they become known".

Moreover, the government will also be keeping a tab over the prices of the drugs in the market so that any intention of manufacturers to illegally maximize their profits could be prevented. Although steps have been taken to meet the shortage of drugs, the FDA believes that it will take 18 months to overcome the shortage of drugs.

The shortage of prescription is not only posing a threat to the lives of patients but also to country's development. It is hoped that Obama's step of getting rid of shortage of prescription drugs would prove helpful. There are large numbers of patients who are waiting to get treatment.