Injectable drug shortages are forcing physicians to resort to other alternatives that are less safe or postpone or cancel procedures altogether, posing serious patient safety risks or in some cases death, according to a USA Today news report.
Bona Benjamin, a pharmacist with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which has been tracking shortages since 2001, says the number of drugs shortages has increased three-fold since 2005. Among the drugs in short supply are morphine, a painkiller, and amikacin, an antibiotic for bacterial infections.
Both hospital pharmacists and physicians have reported that patients have either declined in their health or died because of a drug shortage, according to Michael Cohen, president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Mr. Cohen says other patients have been hurt because of drug substitutions.
Common reasons for drug shortages stem from greater demand, shortages in raw materials and production delays. Despite the need for certain drugs, drugmakers are not required by law to alert the FDA to any shortages or explain shortages. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is authoring a bill requiring drugmakers to notify the FDA in advance of a drug shortage.
Read the news report about drug shortages.
Read other coverage about drug supplies:
- How to Temporarily Overcome Drug Shortage: Q&A With Sheldon Sones of Sheldon S. Sones and Associates
- Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to Recall Six Lots of Acetadote
- Drug Shortages the Focus of Special Meeting
Bona Benjamin, a pharmacist with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which has been tracking shortages since 2001, says the number of drugs shortages has increased three-fold since 2005. Among the drugs in short supply are morphine, a painkiller, and amikacin, an antibiotic for bacterial infections.
Both hospital pharmacists and physicians have reported that patients have either declined in their health or died because of a drug shortage, according to Michael Cohen, president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Mr. Cohen says other patients have been hurt because of drug substitutions.
Common reasons for drug shortages stem from greater demand, shortages in raw materials and production delays. Despite the need for certain drugs, drugmakers are not required by law to alert the FDA to any shortages or explain shortages. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is authoring a bill requiring drugmakers to notify the FDA in advance of a drug shortage.
Read the news report about drug shortages.
Read other coverage about drug supplies:
- How to Temporarily Overcome Drug Shortage: Q&A With Sheldon Sones of Sheldon S. Sones and Associates
- Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to Recall Six Lots of Acetadote
- Drug Shortages the Focus of Special Meeting