Drug shortages increase in number, severity. ('Serious Business').
In late December, Dr. Clifford Moy, clinical director of the Austin (Tex.) State Hospital, did something he almost never has to do: In consultation with attending physicians, he switched 17 patients from one drug--the antipsychotic quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel, AstraZeneca)--to other medications. Supply problems forced him to make...

Drug shortages challenge long-term patient care: Number of products affected up sharply. ('Domino Effect').
In late December, Dr. Clifford Moy, clinical director of the Austin (Tex.) State Hospital, did something he almost never has to do: In consultation with attending physicians, he switched 17 patients from one drug--the antipsychotic quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel, AstraZeneca)--to other medications. Supply problems forced him to make...

Seroquel shortage indicative of supply problems. (Sharp Increase in Drug Shortages).
In late December, Dr. Clifford Moy, clinical director of the Austin (Tex.) State Hospital, did something he almost never has to do: In consultation with attending physicians, he switched 17 patients from one drug--the antipsychotic quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel, AstraZeneca)--to other medications. Supply problems forced him to make...

Nonsterile compounding rise due to drug shortages. (Infectious Diseases: Meningitis outbreak in Calif).
SAN FRANCISCO -- The first known outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections caused by contaminated injectable pharmaceuticals compounded at a community pharmacy carries a cautionary message, Dr. Rachel H. Given said at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Compounding by community pharmacies is on...

Drug Shortages Point to Larger Health System Problems; Group Urges FDA to Hold Public Meeting to Address Concerns.
WASHINGTON, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- A critical shortage of anesthetic drugs, which led to a fact-finding meeting of doctors, pharmacists and manufacturing representatives today in Washington, D.C., may be just a symptom of a larger problem with a U.S. health care system that is sick. ...

Shortages affect patients.
Ongoing drug shortages are compromising patient care, a survey of 1,500 pharmacy directors indicated. Ninetyfive percent of the respondents thought that shortages have created roadblocks and hurdles for treating patients with the best medication. In addition, shortages have contributed to "the delay or cancellation of certain medical procedures, prolonged...

Shortages affect patients.
Ongoing drug shortages are compromising patient care, a survey of 1,500 pharmacy directors indicated. Overall, 95% of the respondents thought that shortages have created roadblocks and hurdles for treating patients with the best medication. Shortages have contributed to "the delay or cancellation of certain medical procedures, prolonged patient stays...

Drug supply problems are attracting greater scrutiny. (Three Common Factors Cited).
The growing number of drug shortages is due in part to a "domino effect" within certain drug categories, said Joseph Deffenbaugh, professional practice associate at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, Md. "If one drug product within a category is not available, then other products within...

Manitoba pharmacists claim Illinois plan would create shortages and high prices.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- The Coalition for Manitoba Pharmacy claims that internet pharmacies that sell lower cost drugs to Americans are causing shortages and higher prices for Canadians. The group joined with The Illinois Pharmacists Association to oppose Governor Rod Blagojevich's efforts to purchase prescription drugs for Illinois employees and...

Short-lived shortages sign of larger Rx problem. (Complicates Patient, Budget Management).
In late December, Dr. Clifford Moy, clinical director of the Austin (Tex.) State Hospital, did something he almost never has to do: In consultation with attending physicians, he switched 17 patients from one drug--the antipsychotic quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel)--to other medications. Supply problems forced him to make the...