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WASHINGTON — A House subcommittee took a first step Thursday toward legislation to fix drug shortages at hospitals. Don’t expect a new law soon, though.

Asked if he expects the House to pass a bill on the subject this year, Energy and Commerce health subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) said drug shortages are an emergency, “but the proposals that have been offered aren’t going to fix it by tomorrow or the next day.”

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“So what we want to do is make sure to fix it as quickly as we possibly can, but do it in a way that’s going to work,” Guthrie said.

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