WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and his colleagues recently sent a bipartisan letter to the Biden administration to address the current shortage of Amoxicillin.

Senator Brown says no child should have to experience a simple infection turning into something even worse because they couldn't get the medicine they needed.

"It's past time to take steps to ensure our medical supply chains can accommodate increased demand for a common, potentially lifesaving drug and give families piece of mind," Brown said.

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat childhood illnesses ranging from ear infections to pneumonia.

Last month, the FDA reported a shortage of the liquid version of the drug due to increased demand. This shortage primarily affects pediatric patients.

Dr. Kevin Turner, a pediatrician and medical director of the Rainbow Primary Care Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland added that these ongoing drug shortages are affecting health systems not just in Ohio, but across the whole country.

However, Dr. Turner says as of right now, there is no reason to panic as Rainbow Primary Care is able to manage the shortage for the "safety and care of [its] patients."

Chad Meyers, a pharmacist and director of ambulatory pharmacy services at Dayton Children's Hospital talked about the impact this shortage has had on families and providers.

"We've had families drive almost an hour because the Dayton Children's pharmacy was the only one that had amoxicillin available for their child," Meyers said.

The full bipartisan letter can be read below:

"Dear Secretary Becerra and Commissioner Califf:"

"We write to express our strong concern regarding the shortage of amoxicillin and the serious threat that this and other medical shortages pose to our nation's patients and public health. Parents, patients, and health providers across the country have shared how this shortage has adversely impacted patient care."

"As you know, amoxicillin is used to treat bacterial infections, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends its use as a "first line therapy" for multiple pediatric illnesses. The record high levels of respiratory illnesses have spiked demand for amoxicillin and other essential medicines, and patients and providers continue to experience disruptive shortages, which have led to delays in care and compromised health outcomes."

"We urge the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to convene the Drug Shortage Task Force and work with stakeholders, including providers, on identifying factors and potential solutions to mitigating the amoxicillin shortage. Further, we request an update on FDA initiatives to prevent and mitigate drug shortages."

"We look forward to working with the Department and its agencies in continuing to address medical shortages as the manufacturing and health care landscape evolve."