All articles tagged with #drug shortages
As demand for popular diabetes and weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro outstrips supply, healthcare companies are launching tools to help patients track availability. Telehealth platform Ro has introduced a GLP-1 Supply Tracker, and Eli Lilly is developing a similar tool to provide timely information on drug availability. Despite efforts to ramp up production, shortages are expected to continue in the short term.
The US is experiencing a record number of drug shortages, with 323 active shortages in the first quarter of the year, including critical medications like chemotherapy drugs and emergency hospital medications. The shortages are driven by economic factors and extreme price competition among generic manufacturers. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is advocating for federal legislation to address the root causes of the issue, while the Department of Health and Human Services has published a white paper recommending ways Congress can assist with the problem.
The US is facing a record high of 323 active and ongoing drug shortages, affecting a wide range of medications including generic cancer drugs and ADHD medication. The shortages are attributed to various factors such as manufacturing delays, increased demand, and regulatory constraints. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is advocating for federal and regulatory changes to address the root causes of these shortages and improve supply chains.
The United States is experiencing a record-high number of active drug shortages, with 323 drugs in shortage in the first three months of 2024. Shortages affect various drug classes, including generic sterile injectable medications, chemotherapy drugs, and therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The average drug shortage lasts about a year and a half, impacting at least half a million patients, and is often caused by manufacturing and quality problems. The US Health and Human Services Office has shared policy suggestions to prevent shortages, but concerns remain about financial penalties for hospitals lacking resources to comply with the recommendations.
The United States is experiencing a record high of 323 active medication shortages, affecting various drug classes including generic sterile injectable medications, cancer chemotherapy drugs, and ADHD medications. This has led to devastating effects on patients, with some hospitals and clinics reporting complete depletion of certain medications. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is working with the federal government to address the root causes of these shortages and advocate for solutions to alleviate the crisis.
The U.S. is experiencing a record number of drug shortages, with 323 active shortages in the first quarter of the year, including life-saving chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications. The shortages are driven by economic factors and extreme price competition among generic manufacturers, leading to challenges in manufacturing capacity, quality, and supply chain reliability. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is calling for federal action to address the root cause of the issue, while the Department of Health and Human Services has published a white paper recommending ways Congress can assist with the problem.
Pharmacists warn of a growing number of drug shortages in the U.S., with 323 active medication shortages in the first three months of 2024, the highest since 2014. Shortages affect all drug classes, with particular concern for generic sterile injectable medications, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications. Adderall, used for ADHD, remains in short supply despite efforts to increase production, with factors including increased demand during the pandemic and manufacturing constraints. Experts attribute shortages to demand outstripping supplies, manufacturing constraints, and disruptions in supply lines for raw materials.
Pharmacists warn of a growing number of drug shortages in the U.S., with 323 active medication shortages in the first three months of 2023, the highest since tracking began in 2001. Shortages affect all drug classes, with particular concern for generic sterile injectable medications, cancer chemotherapy drugs, and emergency medications. Adderall, used for ADHD, is among the hardest medications to find, with factors including increased pandemic prescriptions, production delays, and supply chain disruptions contributing to the shortage.
Eli Lilly & Co. acknowledges potential difficulties in obtaining its weight loss drug Zepbound due to high demand, with reports of backorders and delays at pharmacies across the US, prompting concerns about shortages.
Utah has the second-highest rate of people reporting shortages of prescription medication in the U.S., with over 16% of Utahns experiencing difficulties. The state also ranks sixth in shortages of over-the-counter meds. The University of Utah Health's Drug Information Service tracks shortages, including medications for ADHD, chemotherapy, and blood pressure. Expert advice includes maintaining a relationship with a single pharmacy, talking to pharmacists about alternative medications, and not panicking when facing supply issues.
The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services have launched an inquiry into the causes of generic drug shortages, focusing on the practices of group purchasing organizations and drug distributors. The inquiry aims to assess the influence of these "powerful middlemen" on drug pricing and manufacturing, which has led to critical shortages of drugs such as chemotherapy and antibiotics, endangering patients. Lawmakers and industry executives have expressed concerns about the impact of these practices on the stability of the industry, particularly among makers of sterile injectable products used in surgical and cancer care.
The Biden administration is investigating the role of drug wholesalers and group purchasing organizations in causing shortages of generic drugs, which make up the majority of prescriptions in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services are seeking public input on whether these middlemen have used their market power to drive down prices to the point where manufacturers can't profit, leading to production stoppages and discouraging competition. The public will have 60 days to submit comments, and the investigation comes amid ongoing efforts to address high drug costs.
The FTC and HHS have issued a Request for Information seeking public comment on how group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers may be contributing to generic drug shortages. They are investigating market concentration, contracting practices, and the impact on pricing and availability of pharmaceutical drugs. The inquiry aims to uncover the root causes and potential solutions to drug shortages, with a focus on promoting competition in pharmaceutical markets to ensure access to high-quality, affordable care. The public has 60 days to submit comments on several topics related to generic drug markets and potential causes of shortages.
A surge in scabies cases in the UK has been linked to a shortage of medications, with reports indicating a rate of three cases per 100,000 of the population, double the seasonal average. Scabies, caused by a mite burrowing into the skin, is highly contagious and primarily spreads through skin-to-skin contact, posing a significant threat to public health. The shortage of scabies medications, including permethrin and malathion, has prompted calls for increased production and regulatory support. Experts emphasize the importance of following treatment protocols and maintaining an adequate supply of effective treatments to address the outbreak.
Drug shortages continue to threaten treatment for various diseases in South Florida, with shortages in ADHD medications, chemotherapy drugs, weight-loss drugs, and amoxicillin. Rising drug costs are also a concern, with prices increasing for numerous brand name drugs. Meanwhile, South Florida is seeing the rise of sleep clinics offering unique treatments, such as REM sleep induction, to address sleep issues. Additionally, a new brain health center in Boca Raton aims to help detect Alzheimer's risk and provide brain health assessments and remediation, while a new bill in the Florida Legislature could impact insurance coverage for comprehensive biomarker testing for diseases like Alzheimer's.