Medical Drug Shortages in the U.S.

Medical Drug Shortages in the U.S.

Reports of drug shortages typically come in from 3^rd world countries where medical care is scarce. But latest reports from the Food and Drug Administration indicate that the problem exists at dangerous levels in the United States.

For a variety of reasons, many drug manufacturers are not able to keep up with demand for critical drugs like morphine and antibiotics to name a few. Reports have come in to the FDA from hospitals and medical professionals of cases in which patients have died because critical care drugs were either not available or had to be substituted.

The shortage numbers, involving about 150 medications, come in from health providers because current law does not require the manufacturers to report to the FDA on upcoming shortages. A member of Congress is currently working on a Bill to change the law.

Most recently, the only manufacturer in the U.S. of Pentothal, the most commonly used anesthetic for surgery, says that it will no longer manufacturer the drug. While another anesthetic, Propofol, is available, it is not a viable alternative to Pentothal in many cases. The FDA has been working with the manufacturer to get them to resume production.