Sources: NPR News; American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Practice Report; The American Hospital Association.
Who knew that your hospital might have a shortage of medicine? According to the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Practice Report, 2010 was the worst year to date for drug shortages at the nation’s hospitals. 211 drugs used in hospitals were in such short supply that pharmacists spent significant amounts of time finding alternatives. Among the drugs reported to be in short supply were Epinephrine (for severe allergic reaction), Lidocaine 2% (for irregular heartbeat), Clindamycin (for infection, Nitroglycerin (for acute chest pain) and Penicillin (for infection).
The Practice Report results, “confirm what prior surveys have shown -pharmacy directors believe that the burden of drug shortages continues to increase and that drug shortages have changed clinical practice and compromised patient care.” (Remember, this study is coming from hospital pharmacists not from trial attorneys!)
The American Hospital Association agrees. According to their 7/12/2011 Survey on Drug Shortages, 99.5% of hospitals reported 1 or more drug shortages in the last 6 months with 50% of those reporting 21 or more drug shortages. More alarming in the reports is that 82% of hospitals report that they delayed patient treatment as a result of drug shortages and more than 50% of hospitals did not provide the patient with the drug recommended by the physician. The AHA surveyed 820 hospitals.
Surgery, Anesthesia, Emergency Care, Pain Management, Infectious Disease Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Oncology were all impacted by drug shortages in US hospitals. 3 out of every 4 hospitals said they’ve rationed or otherwise restricted use of the drugs in short supply.
How is this possible? Drug companies are plagued by quality issues and manufacturing delays. Additionally, manufacturers simply decide to stop making certain drugs that are not profitable for them. Further, there appear to be communication gaps regarding drugs in short supply. As a result, Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians spent an average of 9 additional hours per week managing drug shortages instead of dispensing medications for patients as ordered.
Hospital and pharmacist groups support a range of actions to deal with shortages, including an early-warning system and perhaps even incentives to get drug makers to produce more of the drugs in short supply.
Post: David M. Schwadron, Esquire