Matt Hancock defended plans for NHS staff to reuse personal protective equipment (PPE), because he doesn't have a "magic wand" to make it "fall from the sky."
A leaked Public Health England (PHE) document, published this week, showed it was being considered as a “last resort”.
Downing Street confirmed it was being considered, but would only be allowed if it was safe.
Mr Hancock told the Commons Health Committee it was a clinical decision.
"In some cases, the reuse of PPE is advised by clinicians, so again I come back to the point that this has to be a clinical decision," he told the committee.
"I would love to be able to wave a magic wand and have PPE fall from the sky in large quantities and be able to answer your question about when shortages will be resolved.
"But given that we have a global situation in which there is less PPE in the world than the world needs, obviously it's going to be a huge pressure point."
He added: "There's nothing that I can say at this select committee that will take away the fact that we have a global challenge and we're doing everything we can to resolve it to get that PPE to the front line."
The Health Secretary indicated he would look at the guidance around PPE for those working in care homes.
Committee chairman Jeremy Hunt asked why the Government guidance does not require PPE to be worn in care homes for non-Covid patients and if it was suggested that a risk is being taken with residents in care homes.
Mr Hancock responded: "So I do not think we're taking a risk in that way with residents in care homes. I'm very happy to look at that particular point in the guidance.
"I can see why people might read that as an inconsistency and I'm very happy to take that away."
