What is causing drug shortages?
Drug Shortages can occur for many reasons, including manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. Manufacturers provide FDA most drug shortage information, and the agency works closely with them to prevent or reduce the impact of shortages..
How much do drug shortages cost the US each year?
Hospitals spend close to $360 million each year to manage drug shortages, according to a study released this week by Vizient Inc.
What drugs have been taken off the market?
Significant withdrawals
| Drug name | Withdrawn | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Flupirtine | 2018 | Liver toxicity. |
| Gatifloxacin | 2006 | Increased risk of dysglycemia. |
| Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) | 2010 | No improvement in clinical benefit; risk for death. Returned to market in 2017. |
| Glafenine | 1984 | Anaphylaxis. |
Which type of drug has made up the majority of all drug shortages over the past two decades?
Injectable drugs as a category have accounted for 50% to 70% of all drug shortages over the past two decades,1 which is substantially larger than Page 6 5 the share that injectables represent in the overall market. Only a few drug manufacturers produce and market generic injectable drugs.
How can we prevent drug shortages?
The key to preventing drug shortages might be to find manufacturers of high-quality products and pay them enough for their drugs so that they make a reasonable profit and can invest in their facilities when they need to.
How can drug shortages stop?
Why is there a shortage of colestipol?
Reason for the Shortage Pfizer had Colestid on back order due to manufacturing delays.
Why is sulfasalazine on backorder?
Reason for the Shortage Pfizer states the shortage is due to manufacturing delay. Azulfidine and Azulfidine Entabs 500 mg in 300 count bottles have updated NDC numbers.
Are drug shortages preventable?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can take action to help prevent drug shortages and protect treatment access without compromising the COVID-19 pandemic response. The CARES Act expands the FDA authority to address drug shortages, clarifying that the FDA will prioritize drug applications or inspections to prevent a drug shortage.
Why do drug shortages happen?
Causes of drug shortages are many and complex. Manufacturing issues that lead to drug shortages include product quality issues that result in production halts or recalls, product discontinuations, and unavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or other raw materials.
What drugs are discontinued?
Two HCV Drugs to Be Discontinued. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Rebetol (ribavirin; Merck) capsules and PegIntron (peginterferon alfa-2b; Merck) for Injection are being discontinued.
Can pharmacies take back prescriptions?
A new state law requires all pharmacies to take back and dispose of all unused prescription drugs.