There is new evidence suggesting that not only are drug shortages a significant problem for emergency providers, but that the problem has gotten worse, according to an analysis of 13 years of drug data from the University of Utah Drug Information Service in Salt Lake City. In a study published in Academic Emergency Medicine, researchers reported that drug shortages in EDs have more than quadrupled in recent years.1
Among nearly 1800 drug shortages reported between 2001 and 2014, investigators reported that 610 involved drugs used in emergency settings. Further, more than half of these drugs used in the ED are life-saving medications are used to treat high-acuity conditions. Among these critical medications, researchers reported that 10% have no available substitute.
While shortages of drugs used in the ED eased between 2002 and 2007, the researchers found that that the number of drug shortages skyrocketed 435% from 2008 to 2014. In particular, drugs used for lifesaving interventions or high-acuity conditions increased by 393% during this period, and shortages of drugs with no substitute spiked by 125%.
The most common reasons cited for a drug shortage were manufacturing delays (25%), supply and demand (14%), and scarce raw material (4.4%). However, drug manufacturers did not cite a specific reason for nearly half of all the drug shortages involving medications used in the emergency setting.
Researchers suggested that there is some evidence that the 2008 financial crisis may have contributed to the drug shortages. However, they urged policymakers, drug manufacturers, physician-led organizations, and patient advocacy groups to aggressively investigate the shortages. The researchers note that there is little evidence that legislation passed in 2013 to make it easier for the FDA to ease drug shortages is working.
REFERENCE
- Hawley K, et al. Longitudinal trends in U.S. drug shortages for medications used in emergency departments (2001-2014). Acad Emerg Med 2016;23:63-69.
Researchers call for thorough investigation into cause and urge aggressive solutions.
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