Are Drug Shortages a Problem for you?

[swimincatz]

As a soon to be nursing student but a current pharmaceutical sales rep, I was wondering how drug shortages affect nurses. I know that docs and pharmacists will do theraputic interchanges and use alternatives but have you ever known of a doctor having to change a patient's meds becasue the hospital facililty could not obtain them? I hear about ethical dilemas of pharmacy directors and managers getting bonuses for staying under the budget... which to me would seem unethical (cutting corners and patient care/safety to save the hospital some money so thay can line their pockets?!). Anyway I just wanted to hear any kind of feedback on this matter.

Thanks

[theVaway]

the hospital i use to work at used alternatives if they couldn't get what they needed. they always found something, alternative medications and herbs were a different story, pt had to bring their own.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I work at a nursing home and deal with a remote pharmacy which delivers meds to our facility. The only drug I've ever had difficulty obtaining was IV Nafcillin. Apparently, it was such a rare drug that the doctor had only seen it prescribed twice during his 20-year career.