Some healthcare facilities are relying on older medicines to deal with a shortage of 150 drugs, 60 of which federal health officials consider "medically necessary," according to a Los Angeles Times report.
Drug shortages have been exacerbated by tougher rules from the Food and Drug Administration, as well as consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry, according to the report. Some drug companies have abandoned the production of older injectable drugs, meaning companies that do manufacture the generic treatments are under additional strain.
Some hospitals are resorting to older medicines, which, in spite of their high quality, may lead to inaccurate dosage because of the lack of familiarity with the drugs among healthcare providers. In a survey conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, approximately 35 percent of healthcare professionals said they experienced a [drug] error that would have led to patient harm in the last year.
Facilities are also reaching outside their traditional providers by using secondary suppliers when their primary runs out of a particular drug, according to the report.
Read the Los Angeles Times report on drug shortages.
Read more on drug shortages:
-13 States Seek Federal Help Following Anesthetic Drug Shortage
-Drug Shortages Could Force Physicians to Choose Risky Alternatives
-How to Temporarily Overcome Drug Shortage: Q&A With Sheldon Sones of Sheldon S. Sones and Associates
Drug shortages have been exacerbated by tougher rules from the Food and Drug Administration, as well as consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry, according to the report. Some drug companies have abandoned the production of older injectable drugs, meaning companies that do manufacture the generic treatments are under additional strain.
Some hospitals are resorting to older medicines, which, in spite of their high quality, may lead to inaccurate dosage because of the lack of familiarity with the drugs among healthcare providers. In a survey conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, approximately 35 percent of healthcare professionals said they experienced a [drug] error that would have led to patient harm in the last year.
Facilities are also reaching outside their traditional providers by using secondary suppliers when their primary runs out of a particular drug, according to the report.
Read the Los Angeles Times report on drug shortages.
Read more on drug shortages:
-13 States Seek Federal Help Following Anesthetic Drug Shortage
-Drug Shortages Could Force Physicians to Choose Risky Alternatives
-How to Temporarily Overcome Drug Shortage: Q&A With Sheldon Sones of Sheldon S. Sones and Associates