This week we are once again providing an update on the most recent drug shortages.
Drug shortages have dropped below 100 different medications, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noting 95 products as being unavailable. Some of these shortages are short term, or limited availability, while others are completely unavailable with unknown release dates.
Please don’t let the headline fool you into a false sense of security. Drug shortages are likely to increase in the coming weeks to months as we feel the ripple effects of hurricane damage, as well as the US port strike, although it was short-lived.
In our client newsletter, we are providing two separate lists of medications in short supply. The first list covers the most commonly used medications in ambulatory surgery centers, while the second addresses medications commonly used long-term care facilities. In addition to the two lists of unavailable medications, we are also including a table of medications made at the Baxter facility in NC. The Baxter facility is responsible for roughly 60% of all IV fluids in the United States. This list alone contains over 70 products that are likely to either end up on the shortage list, or exacerbate an existing shortage.
At the end of the newsletter are some steps you can take to conserve fluids during this difficult time, as well as a link for ideas on handling ongoing drug shortages.
Steps you can take
The solution to each shortage is going to differ by the medication involved and the available alternatives. In a previous post titled “Ten Steps to Dealing with Drug Shortages”, I discussed ways to deal with shortages.
If you are currently struggling with a particular shortage, work with your pharmacy consultant to come up with creative ways to work around it. This requires planning and expertise. Some solutions may seem obvious and easy, but they could be dangerous to patient safety and often not compliant with licensing or accreditation standards. If you have questions about a current shortage, or how to set up a compliant system, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
The Consultant Pharmacists at OctariusRx provide guidance on safe medication management, survey readiness and cost savings to ambulatory healthcare facilities/surgery centers, senior care facilities and pharmacies. We also help individual patients optimize their medications to improve their quality of life and save money. Contact us for assistance.
