Posted on 04/20/2011 4:15:05 PM PDT by bvw
WASHINGTON -- The number of prescription drugs in short supply has more than tripled since 2005 and shortages are now more frequent than ever, []
Premier Healthcare Alliance -- a performance improvement alliance of more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals -- surveyed 311 pharmacy experts at hospitals and other facilities, such as surgery centers and long-term care facilities, about shortages during a six month period in 2010.
The survey found that 89% had experienced shortages that may have caused a medication safety issue or error in patient care. Eight out of 10 times a shortage occurred, the patient's care was delayed or the medication intervention was canceled.
[]
The report points to a number of reasons for the shortages but puts the blame largely on the pharmaceutical industry.
[]
"There is no doubt that the number of suppliers that provide these products has narrowed dramatically," said Martin Caponi, pharmacy director of Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Ore. []
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) [] said financial considerations in the pharmaceutical industry are a huge factor[]
The report authors agreed.
"Pressures are mounting to offset profit reductions resulting from patent expirations, healthcare reform, and investments related to FDA regulatory compliance for older products," the report authors said. "Manufacturers are delaying or discontinuing investments, thereby impacting product availability."
(Excerpt) Read more at medpagetoday.com ...
Something for the pinglists to consider....
Have experienced this myself with one medication—a disturbing preview of Zerobama”care.”
It isn’t just medicine, go to the store, the shelves are rarely full anymore. I told my husband to make me a list of the things he needs to replace often and I’m going to buy extra.
Part of it is just ontime delivery but not all of it. JUst recently my husband cancelled an order for some tires that he ordered over 6 months ago.
I experienced this also a couple of months ago. Had to split an 80 into two 40s because the pharmacy was out of 40s. That part I don’t mind. The bad part was that the insurance then refused to pay for 40s the next month, requiring 80s be split, but since my prescription was for 40s I had to make an appointment for a new Rx. This is even though it was fine the first month. Totally screwed up.
This is a drug that is also used for controlling epilepsy in humans. I was going nuts because 12 pills was only a 3 day supply for my dog!
I called the Vet and he said he had enough to fill my order. I got the pills from my Vet - $48 vs $14 from the pharmacy.
This was three months ago and the pharmacy now has the pills. I can't imagine what would happen if a person was depending on this drug.
Probably most of these shortages came from generic drug makers as the bigger companies lose patents and will not sell drugs and lose money.
LLS
Holy cow!
Ahead of time . . . before 2014
Do these people think before they speak?
Ask the Pharma's if govt taxes, regulations and govt supported lawsuits have anything to do with the "narrowing" of suppliers?
My pharmacy is short one or another of our prescriptions almost every month but it has to do with their stocking levels as they always get them in 2 days plus I was able to build up a one month surplus in case of a disaster...
Last year my mother broke her hip, and was on Oxy for a short time.
I had to go to SIX pharmacies to find it.
You could be right about that 2 day resupply. I got the 240 pills I needed from the Vet and 2 days later when I went to pick up the 12 pills the pharmacy said they had I was surprised that they gave me a full bottle (260 pills). I paid, said thanks and left. I now have an extra 2 month supply of meds for my dog. A nice emergency supply for the bug out bag!
Atlas Shrugging.
They continue to develop new drugs...they have to recover every penny plus profit in the 5 year window allotted prior to patent expiration.
Drug patents should be 30 years.
Soon basic anti-biotics will all come from China. No money in it here.
Dimwit commies.
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