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Shortages of key drugs, including some antibiotics, continue to be an issue across the country.
A recent Washington Post article reported that the nation experienced a record 211 medication shortages in 2010, with at least 89 new shortages reported through the end of March 2011. Shortages are forcing some medical centers to ration drugs, postpone surgeries and other care, search for substitutes, or resort to alternatives that may be less effective, the Post article said.
Several IDSA members have contacted the Society with concerns about the availability of certain drugs, including the injection form of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX/TMP), and members of the Emerging Infections Network (EIN) recently discussed the current shortage of amikacin (see related article). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides information about drug shortages the agency is aware of, and how physicians can obtain available emergency supplies. You can also sign up for e-mail updates on drugs added to (or removed from) FDA’s shortage list.
Members are urged to report drug shortages directly to FDA. The website of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists also offers information about shortages, including current and resolved shortages, as well as bulletins on drugs that are no longer available.
IDSA continues to work with FDA to make federal officials aware of this ongoing problem. In addition, legislation that would require drug manufacturers to notify FDA about potential shortages and to publicly share information on manufacturers’ supply chain problems recently was introduced in the U.S. Senate. IDSA currently is reviewing the bill for possible endorsement.
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