Patient care and the U.S. drug shortage crisis

The number of new prescription drug shortages in 2011 shot up to 267 causing both concerns over patient care, and unwarranted cost increases. We have been blogging about these shortages since early last year and the problems continue even as we enter 2012.

The FDA says the main reason for drug shortages is manufacturing deficiencies leading to production shutdowns. Other reasons include companies ending production of some drugs with tiny profit margins, consolidation in the generic drug industry and limited supplies of some ingredients.

I suspect the drug manufacturers may not be too concerned. Perhaps they have captured regulators so they can manipulate supply and maximize profits.

I would like to see a major revisit of the regulatory agenda. Is it protecting the general welfare? Is it encouraging the entry of new competitors, or protecting existing manufacturers? We need to create an environment of vigorous competition structured to meet the needs of patients, doctors and hospitals. We need to do more than just tinker around the edges of this critical drug shortage problem. We need to make sure that safeguards are in place so that healthcare workers do not have to scramble to find the medication they need to treat patients.

Thankfully there are some organizations out there trying to protect hospitals and help them navigate through these difficult times – even to recoup some of the money they lose when having to find alternative medications. You can learn how Premier healthcare alliance is assisting hospitals by clicking here.

Let’s protect patients in this country and get serious about addressing this drug shortage problem. We need healthcare leaders and government leaders to step forward.

Ed Howe blogs regularly at Action for Better Healthcare.