Physicians are asking for federal intervention as drug shortages reach critical levels across the United States, according to a Maine Public Broadcast Network report.
According to officials at the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, which operates four clinics in the southern part of the state, the facility has sold medications to several area hospitals that are suffering severe drug shortages. Other hospitals, such as Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, say they are short on everything from epinephrine to nutritional fluids — and have had to resort to rationing to handle shortages.
The American Hospital Association reported this summer that drug shortages have delayed care at 82 percent of its hospitals, getting the attention of politicians. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins is co-sponsoring legislation that would allow the FDA to require notification from drug companies when they anticipate shortages.
Some physician practices report that they have been able to get around the shortage by using multiple drug suppliers. Others have resorted to delaying patient treatment, giving some treatments more selectively or stocking up on drugs in short supply to prevent future shortages.
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According to officials at the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, which operates four clinics in the southern part of the state, the facility has sold medications to several area hospitals that are suffering severe drug shortages. Other hospitals, such as Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, say they are short on everything from epinephrine to nutritional fluids — and have had to resort to rationing to handle shortages.
The American Hospital Association reported this summer that drug shortages have delayed care at 82 percent of its hospitals, getting the attention of politicians. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins is co-sponsoring legislation that would allow the FDA to require notification from drug companies when they anticipate shortages.
Some physician practices report that they have been able to get around the shortage by using multiple drug suppliers. Others have resorted to delaying patient treatment, giving some treatments more selectively or stocking up on drugs in short supply to prevent future shortages.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Study: AP Advance Laryngoscope Speeds Up Intubation in Difficult Airways
St. Louis Researchers Recommend Simpler, Cheaper Method of Monitoring Sedation
ASA Joins 24 Medical Societies in Letter to Patient-Centered Research Outcomes Institute