Drugs

ASHP Sees 277 Active Drug Shortages

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) says that as of September, the number of active drug shortages as tracked by the University of Utah Drug Information Service was 277, down from an all-time high of 323. ASHP reports that 50% of active shortages have persisted for two or more years.

“Health systems are facing significant shortages of IV fluids, irrigation fluids, and peritoneal dialysis fluids,” it says. “Some of these shortages pre-date shortfalls caused by Hurricane Helene. While IV fluids are being allocated by manufacturers, inventory may not be available to health systems in a timely manner.”

The report has charts presenting new shortages by year; percent injectable; active shortages by quarter; active shortages in the top 5 classes; and common drug classes in short supply.

The reasons for shortages as reported by manufacturers to the University of Utah were unknown/would not provide, 60%; supply/demand, 14%; manufacturing, 12%; business decision, 12%; and raw material issue, 2%.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

Read more

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome