News: Drug Shortages
-
Perspectives on the Drug Shortage Issue
Eye on FDA, May 1, 2012
The issue of drug shortages surfaces periodically in the news and in policy circles, prompting both FDA and Administration officials to various actions. IMS Institute executive director Murray Aitken discusses the U.S. drug shortage issue with Eye on FDA’s Mark Senak.
Shortages of Medicines: A Complex Global Challenge
Bulletin of the World Health Organization, March 14, 2012
Drug shortages are increasingly becoming a global issue. The WHO cites the IMS Institute report, Drug Shortages: A Closer Look at Products, Suppliers and Volume Volatility, as a key reference to this growing issue.
Cancer Drugs Shortage Eased by Overseas Shipments, FDA Announces
The Guardian, February 21, 2012
Critical U.S. drug shortages are being boosted by shipments from abroad, as new FDA rules and pending legislation in Congress aim to reduce these deficits that have threatened the lives of thousands of patients. Analysis from the IMS Institute indicates that more than half a million cancer patients last year alone were affected.
28 Cancer Medicines in Dangerously Short Supply
CBS Evening News, February 14, 2012
Thousands of children count on methotrexate to fight the childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but supplies are running dangerously low. Details from the IMS Institute’s drug shortages report is featured in this news story.
The Drug Shortage Crisis in America
Forbes, February 13, 2012
Democratic pollster, strategist and commentator Douglas E. Schoen, who served as a pollster for President Bill Clinton, offers insight into the Drug Shortage Prevention Act, which would create safeguards against drug shortages. Schoen cites key data from the IMS Institute’s drug shortages report.
Pharmacists And Shire Spar Over Adderall Shortage
Pharmalot, February 13, 2012
A majority of pharmacists report that they lack one or more medicines at least every day and an overwhelming percentage say that shortages, on average, last three weeks or longer. This news report cites IMS data, which says that while a shortage exists, the data does not show a widespread shortage of either Shire’s branded Adderall XR or authorized generic Adderall XR.
What's Behind Our National Drug Shortages?
Huffington Post, February 6, 2012
While it's easy to understand why millions of patients get riled up when they learn there are shortages of drugs for what ails them, it's more complicated to understand why this occurs. Nonetheless, this pharmaceutical problem needs continued attention and action. IMS Institute information related to drug shortages is cited.
New Study on U.S. Drug Shortages Calls for Establishment of Early Warning System
Eye on FDA, November 15, 2011
A study released today on U.S. drug shortages sheds a more granular light on what has occurred. The study, conducted by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics – Drug Shortages: A Closer Look at Products, Suppliers and Volume Volatility - examines data to assess some of the underpinning characteristics of the shortage and to make some recommendations.
Drug Shortages Affect More Than Half A Million Cancer Patients
SHOTS, NPR Health Blog, November 15, 2011
Persistent shortages of life-saving drugs led President Obama to issue an executive order last month to try and ease what one administration official called a "dire public health situation" that has created problems for patient care.
A new analysis from the IMS Institute about drug shortages shows that 550,000 U.S. cancer patients alone are impacted by the shortage, and joins the discussion to recommend a better system to warn hospitals, doctors and pharmacists about medicines that may become in short supply.
AMA: Drug Shortage Disruptive but Limited to a Few Key Areas
Medscape Today News, November 14, 2011
A new report issued by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics shows that 168 drugs are currently in short supply, and most of the shortage clusters around 4 key areas. The report coincided with a presentation here at the American Medical Association (AMA) 2011 Interim Meeting by Bona Benjamin, BS Pharm, director of medication use quality improvement for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
