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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 ...
” A good way to build up a reserve is to constantly renew ongoing medications as soon as the drug coverage allows. “
The VA doesn’t allow this anymore - they won’t ship a prescription refill before 30 days have elapsed...
(I have pointed out the FEMA guidelines to pharmacists and doctors at my local VA, and have gotten shrugs in response..)
I've been doing this - all maintenance meds now have a 90 day supply stored in a zippered plastic bag in the basement. I keep track of the supplies, dates, and insurance information on a spreadsheet that gets updated every month. Ironically, our house was built in 1963, so we have a nice fallout shelter to keep emergency supplies like this in a cool location.
Just as cockroaches “make sense” to those who live in real filth, government regulators and government regulation “make sense” to those who are reckless, or severely impoverished, in raising strong families and communities.
Yeah I know. You have to start over again but the ones from overseas don’t require a script. All the docs I went to said I was “in range” and wouldn’t do anything. Paid for my own tests to see and just purchased from overseas (and Canada). Feeling fine now. Test results are way better and the best thing is me feeling better. Before the age of testing, docs prescribed meds based on symptoms. Now it’s the tests and if you are “in range” you are screwed. In range is for everyone but may not be “your” particular range. Nodules on my thyroid as well that he said “we’ll watch”.
One can not stockpile meds like can be done with food or garden supplies. It is scary.
I’ve had two dogs that have problems with seizures. It’s very important that they get their medicine because it can trigger a serious seizure if they’re late with one. I hope you can solve this problem soon.
No problem with the meds right now. The vet upped Aladdin’s dose after his blood test. I never miss a dosing every twelve hours.
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