Medication shortages?

Tryptophan · Feb 16, 2012

My hospital is out of Reglan and dangerously low on Zofran. Zofran is not loaded into the pyxis and must be taken directly from the pharmacy. It is very unfortunate, a lot of patients suffer as a result.

pinkfluffybunny · Feb 16, 2012

There is a pending bill that would require manufacturers to notify of impending shortages and a senate "work" committee trying to find a way to stop shortages. With the power of pharmaceutical lobbyist I don't see it going far. I really hope one day the American people wake up and see what is going on around them.

Raviepoo · Feb 16, 2012

As a consumer, I have been unable to fill a family member's (OK he's a dog, but he's still a member of my family) prescription for generic cyclosporine at our regular pharmacy since November. This leaves me calling all over town (and one time to another state); settling for a smaller dose which is twice as expensive; or buying the brand which costs 5 times as much. It's getting more than a little old. I can't afford this. I called the manufacturer a few weeks ago and they told me that the product would start hitting pharmacy shelves in 8 weeks. I wonder how transplant patients are dealing with this? Of course their medications are probably covered by insurance, and I pay out of pocket for my dog's meds.

cdsga · Feb 16, 2012

Each day our satellite pharmacy in surgery posts a sometimes 2 page long list of medication shortages or back orders. The lead pharmacist says it is a struggle each day to call around and purchase supplies to keep things going. We have had many vendor changes, packaging changes for example instead of a 30 cc vial of Marcaine, you might see 10cc vials instead. She says it's really a mess and things don't look like they're getting better any time soon.

vanburbian · Feb 16, 2012

IV ativan, reglan, compazine, zofran and toradol, etomidate and valium;

Midazolam, lorazepam, epinephrine vials, atropine vials, bupivacaine vials... a whole lotta vials on backorder.

We still have oral zofran and some oral ativan.

It's getting ugly out there, I asked RPh what we would give for a status epilecticus, she thinks we'll end up using propofol, or similar.

Vespertinas · Feb 16, 2012

Last year we were short on furosemide (Lasix). Had to quickly learn the equivalent doses for bumetanide (Bumex).

Then we were short on acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)... so instead of getting the whole vial, we were given 3ml pre-measured syringe doses which I think should be done in the first place to reduce waste.

I just considered them inconveniences at the time but I had no idea things were so bad behind the scenes!

Clovery · Feb 16, 2012

Back in November/December there were several articles in area papers about a shortage of Adderall (amphetamine for ADHD and narcolepsy). I'm a student in my psych rotation now, and last week there was a patient who was admitted and became increasingly agitated because they weren't giving him his meds. They had to explain to him that they weren't purposefully withholding the Adderall - they put in the order right away but it was taking the pharmacy a couple of days to obtain it because of the med shortage.

sapphire18 · Feb 18, 2012

We're out of IV mag and low on IV ativan and versed. It's always something..

vanburbian · Feb 18, 2012

No IV Valium either, versed on limited list...Oy Vey.

Interestingly, I got an email from Medscape today and they had about 6 articles, as well as Methotrexate shortage on MSNBC/national news.

258 meds listed as shortages.