Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

Fully 178 drug shortages were reported to the Food and Drug Administration in 2010. President Obama signed a limited executive order Monday that he said will reduce the problem. The measure calls on the FDA to press drug firms to report shortages sooner. The order also directs regulators to review new manufacturing facilities more quickly. “The shortage of prescription drugs drives up costs, leaves consumers vulnerable to price gouging and threatens our health and safety,” Obama said in a statement.