South Dakota governor prods Washington to address national drug shortages

By STEVE KARNOWSKI
Associated Press

As the U.S. struggles with prescription drug shortages, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has advanced a modest plan that she hopes will prod Washington to address weaknesses in the international pharmaceutical supply chain. Noem told reporters last week that her state will expand its stockpiles of medications that have been in short supply. She also used the occasion to urge the Food and Drug Administration to make the U.S. less dependent on foreign suppliers. Noem says she hopes other governors and members of Congress take notice and push Washington to fix what she calls a real risk to national security.