Photo: PAUL WEAVER/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY; Inset: Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty
On Thursday, Califf testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee about theongoing formula shortage, saying, “It’s going to be gradual improvement up to probably somewhere around two months until the shelves are replete again,“CNBCreports.
He also discussed thereasonings behind the shortage, saying in part, “We knew that ceasing plant operations would create supply problems, but we had no choice given the insanitary conditions.”
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In a Thursday release, Califf said, “We have made tremendous progress, including notable steps in just the past week, which will allow us to immediately begin bringing specialty and infant formula products into the U.S. as quickly as possible.”
“Wecontinue to work closelywith our U.S. government partners and domestic and international manufacturers to identify additional formula product that will be available to parents and caregivers in the weeks and months ahead,” he added. “It is our goal to ensure that hospitals, specialty pharmacies, and retail store shelves will begin seeing adequate supplies again in the coming weeks.”
PresidentJoe Bidenis taking steps to ameliorate effects of the shortage,the White House said on May 12, after Abbott Nutrition, the nation’s largest manufacturer of infant formula, recalled products made in a Michigan plant in February due to possiblecontamination of cronobacter and salmonella.
Abbott Nutrition alsoreleased a statementon May 13, outlining steps it has taken since to “get as much product into the hands of parents as we can.”
“We understand the situation is urgent — getting Sturgis up and running will help alleviate this shortage,” the company added. “Subject to FDA approval, we could restart the site within two weeks.”
“Our team is working around the clock to get safe formula to everyone who needs it,” Biden, 79,said in a tweetat the time.
source: people.com
