The global medication shortage has worsened since 2021, affecting many countries worldwide.

In 2024, a record 323 drug shortages were reported, including 32 chemotherapy drugs and central nervous system stimulants.

The average shortage affects at least half a million patients, primarily due to manufacturing, quality, and demand issues.

Medication shortages can have significant economic and social repercussions, costing the economy $100-290 million annually and negatively impacting patient outcomes.

Addressing medication shortages requires a combination of strategies, including increased transparency, diversified supply chains, and fiscal reforms, to ensure patient access to necessary medications.

The US FDA monitors supply chains to address shortages, with 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients being made overseas.

Adderall, a medication for ADHD, is in short supply due to manufacturing delays and high demand, with alternatives like methylphenidate available.

Primary caretakers can stay informed about medication shortages through online resources and work with healthcare providers to develop contingency plans.

The FDA website and Poison Control Helpline offer information on medication shortages, and pharmacists can provide therapeutic alternatives.

Regular reviews, pharmacist support, and precision medicine can help ensure accurate medication for elderly patients.

Caregivers can help patients take medications as directed, monitor for food interactions, and assist in emergencies.

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule adjustments, Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform, and integrated healthcare services propose payment increases to support patient treatment and reduce medication costs.

The SUPPORT Act, Presidential Determination, and the Intravenous Infusion Drug Quality Control System can aid opioid recovery, invest in domestic medicine manufacturing, and improve patient safety.

The global medication shortage has worsened since 2021, affecting many countries worldwide.

Title:

Content: Policy and Inadequate Clinical Engagement Call on Government to Address Drug Deficiency and Enhance Patient Participation Rights
Health Care Network
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated September 17 every year as World Patient Safety Day (referred to as Patient Safety Day), but patient participation in China is still insufficient from policy to clinical.
The Taiwan Alliance of Patients and Friends (TAPO) today (13th) invited patient groups and medical organizations to celebrate World Patient Safety Day, calling on the government to actively address the crisis of drug shortage and implement three important rights of patients in the medical and health care system: the right to know, the right to choose and the right to participate.
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.
The Taiwan Alliance of Patients and Friends (TAPO) held a press conference on World Patient Safety Day 2023 on the 13th, inviting the two major competent authorities of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Department of Health, the Association of Pharmacists, the Association of Nurses, the Medical Reform Foundation, and the Pharmaceutical Relief Foundation to jointly advocate for patient safety.
Call on the Ministry of Health and Welfare to actively respond to the drug shortage crisis
Wu Honglai, president of TAPO, pointed out that a stable supply of drugs is the basis of drug safety. At the beginning of this year, the shortage of drugs in China worsened, and the public may not be able to obtain the required drugs in community pharmacies.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare subsequently set up a drug supply notification processing center, but the problem of drug shortage at the grassroots level is still reported.
Now the global shortage of drugs continues to fever, the United States official also confirmed that the lack of drugs for several months, in addition to pain medication, even cancer drugs, antibiotics are in crisis.
Faced with such a challenge, Taiwan is also a small market, low health insurance cost of the country, I am afraid that it will be no small impact, imploring the Ministry of Health and Welfare to put forward a more positive response to the shortage of drugs, so that patients will not suffer from the interruption of treatment.
Chen Wen-wen, CEO of the Drug Harm Relief Foundation, believes that "drug safety" is an important part of maintaining patient safety. From years of experience and research, many serious drug hazards can be prevented beforehand. In all stages of treatment, such as receiving prescriptions, taking drugs, and tracking the effectiveness of treatment, you must have a deep understanding of the relevant information in order to escape the passive acceptance of instructions and actively restore health.
Enhance patient participation and influence
Yan Biwen, deputy executive director of the Cancer Hope Foundation, suggested that the current time point for patients to express their views is worth discussing again, and the expert meeting has completed the drug payment proposal before the expression, for discussion by the Joint Committee, and the views of patients are difficult to exert practical impact.
The government should refer to the practices of leading countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada to include the views of patients in the medical technology assessment, including subsequent expert meetings and meetings to decide on payment, and have formal representatives of patients to participate in the discussion and resolution.
This year, the Health Insurance Department visited the Cancer New Drug Fund of the United Kingdom and cooperated with NICE in the United Kingdom. It should also follow its patient-centered spirit, enhance the participation of patients and expand the scope and influence of collecting opinions.
“Healthcare is not just about treating diseases, it ’ s about caring for and protecting lives, ” said Su Yuyi, deputy general secretary of the All Union of Physicians. Since 105, doctors have been promoting shared decision-making. Instead, they discuss treatment options, risks and benefits with patients to help them make decisions that meet their values, preferences and goals.
Cai Li-chuan, deputy executive director of the Taiwan Cancer Fund, believes that at present, the participation of patients' representatives in the important decision-making meeting of health insurance is still insufficient. In the "joint drafting" meeting to decide whether drugs should be included in the health insurance payment, there are only two patients present, and informal representatives, there is still a gap in the exercise of the rights of the meeting. Members who have obtained seats by drawing lots, so that the voices of patients are easily ignored.
Competent authorities should plan a more stable and sound system for patient participation, and pay attention to the voice of patients.
Patient safety should be ensured by maintaining a stable ratio of care
According to a study by Linda Aiken, a professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, the probability of death of surgical patients within 30 days of admission increases by 7%.
Source: Healthnews.com https: / / www.healthnews.com.tw / readnews.php? id = 59248
Please like this article and share it with your friends! More health information: https: / / www.healthnews.com.tw
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.

In 2024, a record 323 drug shortages were reported, including 32 chemotherapy drugs and central nervous system stimulants.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
An Unexpected Catastrophe in the World ’ s Largest Country: The Complete Story of U.S. Drug Shortages
The deficit is at a record level.
According to data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service, organizations began tracking drug shortages for the first time in 2001. Steady since 2021 – now reaching a record high of 323 drugs in the first three months of 2024.
Paul Abramowitz, CEO of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, wrote in a blog post on Thursday: “It ’ s been a long time to end drug shortages, ” and wrote:“ All drug classes are vulnerable to shortages, some of the most worrisome shortages include sterile injectable generic drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency drugs stored in hospital vans and procedural areas. It is dangerous for doctors and patients. ”
In addition to the 32 chemotherapy drugs that are deficient, the five categories of drugs with the greatest deficiency include central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormonal agents, and intravenous fluids. [1] The Drug Deficiency Database maintained by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah is based on voluntary reports from practitioners, patients, and others that have been confirmed by manufacturers. The U.S. drug is in short supply, because it captures broader effects on service providers and patients.
The crisis has lasted a year and a half.
More than half of the treatment shortages have lasted for more than two years, according to an analysis by health consultancy IQVIA, and the average shortage affects at least half a million patients, many of them elderly, according to the US Office of Health and Human Services under the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, which shared its analysis with Congress in May.
Growing demand can play a role in drug shortages, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but often manufacturing and quality problems, such as supply chain gaps and downtime, are the root cause. And varied.
But the American Society of Health System Pharmacists has “serious concerns ” about parts of this proposal, especially financial sanctions imposed on hospitals that lack the resources to comply with the recommendations, Abramowitz wrote:“ We all know that managing shortages is not enough and is not a sustainable solution to the worsening crisis, and there is still a lot of work to be done at the federal level to fix the root causes of drug shortages. ”
Why Shortage Occurs
Shortages can be caused by high demand, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but this is not usually the main problem.
The FDA also blames manufacturing and quality problems, supply chain gaps, and downtime, and Dr. Emily Tucker, a drug shortage expert and an assistant professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University, says that when there is an indication of shortages, large health systems often also proactively place large orders, adding to the system ’ s stress.
“I don ’ t blame anyone.
“When I talk to all the stakeholders – whether it ’ s wholesalers, manufacturers, or the government – everyone wants this problem to end, ” she said.
Lack of transparency
Dr. Julie Grallo, chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, told the House Committee earlier that the shortage puts providers in a terrible position: “The drug shortage crisis is forcing providers to make impossible choices, and it is also hindering the development of new drugs. Health drugs are purchased only on a price basis, and manufacturers do not have to disclose the source of their acquisition of the ingredients.
The shortage of this generic chemical drug came due to the closure of one factory in India that manufactures the active ingredient after a surprise FDA inspection found “significant quality issues, ” says Jarallo:“ We didn ’ t know, and there was no transparency regarding the company ’ s supply of the majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients to all manufacturers across the board.
Knowing this in advance, we could have responded much faster, ” Dr. Steven Schundlemeyer, director of the PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy, which focuses on economic and management issues, told the committee that as with defense contractors in the United States, New Zealand requires manufacturers to disclose their suppliers, and that information is required.
Easily accessible in the database.
Related Topics

The average shortage affects at least half a million patients, primarily due to manufacturing, quality, and demand issues.

Medication shortages can have significant economic and social repercussions, costing the economy $100-290 million annually and negatively impacting patient outcomes.

Title:

Content: NEW YORK, March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CancerCare today released "The Employers' Prescription for Employee Protection Toolkit: Best Practices for Prescription Drug Benefit Design", to help benefits managers, human resources professionals, and executives better understand and navigate the unintended consequences of utilization management (UM).

UM, which helps health insurance providers contain costs, weed out unproven treatments, and evaluate physicians' treatment recommendations, can negatively impact patient outcomes, especially for those with serious or chronic illnesses. Administrative snarls, delays, stress and costly out-of-pocket expenses for people diagnosed with life-threatening conditions are among the frequent challenges presented by UM, such as medication non-adherence, which is estimated to cost the economy between $100 million and $290 million annually.

"Many cost-saving practices seem benign but can cause great harm, particularly to those with serious or chronic health conditions," said Patricia J. Goldsmith, Chief Executive Officer, CancerCare. "Insurance plan restrictions often prevent patients from accessing the medications they desperately need, which in turn, can have a critical impact on employee wellbeing and productivity."  She points to data showing that patients experience, on average, a 31 day delay in accessing medication that is subject to pre-authorization.

CancerCare's new educational resource explores the burdens and obstacles of common UM practices and offers recommendations to help employers and benefits managers create a strong, patient-focused prescription coverage plan that can reduce long term costs and contribute to higher employee productivity and satisfaction.

The toolkit includes a comprehensive explanation of how UM can impact access to pharmacy benefits, and includes illustrated fact sheets about common UM practices and their potential impacts. It also includes a video series featuring real patients describing the day-to-day consequences of their insurance plan's UM policies.

"The high costs of healthcare represent a significant burden and source of stress on U.S. families," said Ellen Miller-Sonet, Senior VP, Chief Strategy & Policy Officer, CancerCare. "The goal of employer-provided health coverage is providing access to swift and effective treatment, to resolve symptoms and avoid poor outcomes. We created this comprehensive educational resource to explain UM practices and suggest ways to implement these policies to address real utilization issues while not creating roadblocks to necessary treatments."

The toolkit is available free for employers and the public, and can be accessed here.

About CancerCare®

Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include case management, counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by master's-prepared oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.

About The Employers' Prescription for Employee Protection Toolkit

The Toolkit helps inform the benefits package design and decision-making process and offers key considerations when looking at plans that include utilization management. Providing best practice recommendations to help employers evaluate health plan options, the Toolkit includes sections on pre-authorization, formulary design, step therapy, specialty pharmacies, copay accumulator programs, the appeals process and financial non-adherence.

Editor's Note

Interviews are available with:

Patricia Goldsmith (PA & NY) on prescription drug benefit design/formulary design

Amy W. (DC) on pre-authorization

Jen (Utah) on co-pay accumulators

Media Contact:

Beth Brody

331549@email4pr.com

908-295-0600

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cancercare-releases-employer-guide-to-prescription-drug-benefit-design-for-employees-with-serious-illness-301499381.html

SOURCE CancerCare

DISCLAIMER FOR COMMENTS: The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.

Addressing medication shortages requires a combination of strategies, including increased transparency, diversified supply chains, and fiscal reforms, to ensure patient access to necessary medications.

Title:

Content: Lack of medicines in MOH hospitals and accumulation of indebtedness Repercussions / solutions
3 hours ago
Dr. Naeem Malkawi
The problem of shortage of medicines in Jordanian hospitals requires quick and effective attention and intervention, as providing medicines to patients is one of the foundations of quality health care and one of the most important strategies of the Ministry of Health, however, the shortage of medicines in many hospitals leads to health, economic and social challenges that threaten the quality of health care and patient safety.
The budget of the Ministry of Health of medicines, vaccines, vaccines and medical consumables for this year 2023 was estimated at 103.75 million dinars, where the actual for the past year 2022 was 93.8 million dinars.
The question is, how did the Ministry of Health accumulate such a large indebtedness in the item of medicines to reach 300 million dinars for pharmaceutical companies?
And why last week was the debt of 2019 cleared and deducted estimated at 50% of the debt for that year?
This means that there is still a delay in the payment of dues for companies for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 in addition to eight months of the current year 2023, and this brings us to a range of reasons and challenges:
1.
The aim of the Ministry of Health was to reduce the bureaucracy of procedures and overcome the complexity of procurement references in hospitals and health directorates in the governorates and not to obtain price and discount preferences, but the results indicate a defect in the management and mechanism of dealing with the strategy of unified and central procurement, despite the margin for hospital administrations to use the power of direct purchase in cases of necessity.
2.
Preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals: Evidence shows that there is a problem in the preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals and the main budget of the Ministry of Health with regard to the item of medicines, which is due to the lack of accurate and sufficient data on the number of patients and hospital needs of medicines, and the lack of accurate forecasting of future needs.
3.
Delays in the review of financial claims and invoices between the Ministry of Health and the hospitals on the one hand and the pharmaceutical companies on the other hand, is one of the most important reasons behind the accumulation of indebtedness, and this negatively affects the liquidity of the pharmaceutical companies and hinders them from providing a sustainable service in adhering to the procedures of supplying medicines according to schedule.
4.
Lack of coordination and communication: There may be a lack of coordination and communication between hospitals, the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies, which complicates the supply and distribution of medicines and increases the chances of delays and the depletion of medicines from hospitals in the absence of an effective policy for stock management and the time required for stock adequacy.
5.
Focusing on the trade names of certain drugs from specific production sources and not adopting the protocol of writing the scientific name for the prescriptions of patients.
6.
One of the reasons that may be major and important at the same time is the funding aspect and the lack of the necessary allocations or use them in other aspects other than medicines to fill a deficit or emergency during the use of budget items due to the scarcity of available liquidity. Medication.
Lack of medication can lead to:
1.
Threat to patient safety: Lack of medication puts sick people at risk, as this can lead to delays in receiving necessary treatment or the unavailability of vital drugs, putting their lives at risk.
2.
Economic Implications: The lack of medicines entails additional economic costs for the health system and patients.
Medical cases may be referred to other medical centers or private hospitals, increasing pressure on other MOH budget items.
3.
Pressure on health care workers: Health care workers are under pressure as a result of dealing with patients affected by drug shortages and repeatedly facing their inquiries and complaints.
4.
Social repercussions:
Increased anxiety and stress: A lack of medication can lead to an increase in anxiety and stress among patients and their families, as they live in uncertainty about the availability of the necessary treatment.
Lack of medication can affect the level of trust in the health system among citizens, who may feel that the system is unable to provide them with adequate health care.
Increased costs and social burdens: Some patients may have to incur additional costs to obtain drugs from other sources outside hospitals, affecting their financial and economic status.
After all this narrative there must be ways to overcome these dilemmas:
1.
Preparation of budgets scientifically and professionally: Hospitals should develop more accurate standards for the preparation of sub-budgets for medicines, through the analysis of previous data, estimation of future needs and other scientific and methodological foundations in the preparation of budgets and commitment to apply them accurately.
2.
Improve coordination and communication between parties: Coordination between the Ministry of Health, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies should be strengthened through the establishment of structured mechanisms for information exchange, review of invoices, and completion of claims, and not delay them.
3.
Implementation of fiscal reforms: The Government and the Ministry of Health should implement fiscal reforms that provide funding to cover this important item and pay dues in a timely manner, reduce bureaucracy in the financial audit process, and proceed with payment procedures within the timetable mechanism agreed in the tender terms.
4.
Achieving social responsibility: The government and pharmaceutical companies should adopt a social responsibility towards patients by providing these drugs and reducing their prices in the market to make them more accessible to patients while relieving part of the pressure and burden on hospitals.
Addressing the problem of drug shortages in government hospitals requires comprehensive cooperation between all concerned parties from government, Ministry of Health, hospitals, drug suppliers and patients.
To provide medicines on a permanent basis and to ensure the provision of high quality health care to the Jordanian patient.

Title:

Content: Meitu
The first quarter of the United States serious drug shortage 323 drugs urgent cancer patients also have to be diverted and rationed!
CHU HENG NETWORK NEWS CENTER 2024-04-16 10: 42
According to the latest data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Center for Drug Information Services, a total of 323 drugs in the United States were in severe shortages in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the record of 320 in 2014.
Among the drugs affected are the widely used diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro, the allergy treatment drug adrenaline, the common antibiotic amoxicillin for children, chemotherapy drugs and injections commonly used in hospitals in intensive care.
ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz said in a statement that almost all categories of drugs are facing shortages, with non-patented sterile injectable drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs, and emergency drugs stored in hospital emergency vans and operating areas, the shortage of such drugs is the most worrying.
According to the American Cancer Society, chemotherapy is one of the top five drugs most affected by the shortage, which threatens to have a devastating impact on patients, and some hospitals and clinics say doctors have had to divert patients to ration their medications because of a shortage of some chemotherapy drugs.
In addition, ASHP noted that the continued nationwide shortage of ADHD drugs is “a problem for clinicians and patients. ”
The shortage of popular drugs is even more acute, with Mounjaro, the diabetes drug known as the “slimming pill ”, already in dire straits.
In response, Lilly said that the “unprecedented surge in demand ” for Mounjaro and its similar drug Zepbound has led to a shortage in the market, which the company is struggling to cope with.
Lilly is ramping up investments to boost production at Mounjaro and Zepbound in the second half of 2024.
The company said it expects intermittent supply disruptions in the near term due to unprecedented demand.
How to cure the drug shortage
The last major “drug shortage ” in U.S. history occurred in 2014, and it has only been alleviated in the years since.
Since 2021, the drug shortage situation seems to be increasing, and scholars in the field of medical health and economics in the United States believe that the reason for most drug shortages in the United States is the fragmentation of the drug supply chain.
The White House this month proposed spending between $3.26 billion and $5.11 billion over the next decade to help address the nation ’ s drug shortage.
The bill requires approval and funding from the U.S. Congress.
U.S. researchers and policymakers believe that a complete solution to the “drug shortage ” may require changes to the business model of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, including measures to increase the price of generic drugs to attract more drug manufacturers.
Policymakers recommend giving the FDA more power to access more information about drug shortages and impending shortages.
Currently, the FDA relies primarily on phone calls to manufacturers asking if they can increase their supply to understand the situation.
The American Society of Health System Pharmacists said it is working with the federal government to advise the government on measures to address the drug shortage, including that Congress should require manufacturers to be more transparent on any supply chain issues and encourage more diversity in supply chains.
According to Abramowitz, “The federal government still has a lot of work to do to fundamentally address drug shortages, and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists will continue to engage regularly with policymakers to guide them in drafting and passing new legislation to address drug shortages and continue to advocate vigorously for proven solutions on behalf of our members. ”

The US FDA monitors supply chains to address shortages, with 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients being made overseas.

Title:

Content: US supply chain crisis continues, FDA points to 111 drug shortages
Global Social Hotspot 16: 35 2021 / 12 / 05
Share:
The supply chain crisis in the United States continues, and many goods are facing shortages.
The US media said that the US pharmacies have a number of critical prescription drugs in stock. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pointed out that about 111 drugs are out of stock in the United States. The FDA stressed that it will continue to take measures to monitor the supply chain.
【 Omicron variant 】 Travellers must have a negative test within 48 hours for entering the United Kingdom 【 Next 】
The Federal Reserve warned on Wednesday that large parts of the United States had begun to be affected by supply chain disruptions and labor shortages last month.
According to the FDA website, 111 drugs are out of stock in the United States, including the heart disease drug digoxin injection, the chemical drug Dacarbazine and some antibiotics.
The authorities say there are many reasons for the shortage, including production problems, quality problems, drugs and even the suspension of production.
According to the FDA, about 80% of the manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients are located overseas, and the manufacturers have provided the FDA with most of the drug shortage information.
The Administration will also work closely with these manufacturers to address the drug shortage.
【 Omicron variant 】 Study: Omicron carries a cold virus gene or helps avoid the immune system 【 Next 】
Long Island Newspaper Newsday quoted Tom D'Angelo, president of the New York State Association of Pharmacists, as saying the shipping of a large number of medicines, including those for common blood pressure and for the treatment of colds and flu, was blocked.
Because of supply chain problems, the owner of a New York drugstore said there were fewer brands for some drugs, including Ibuprofen.
The National Association of Community Pharmacists (NCPA) released a survey last month that found that most non-chain pharmacies are struggling to fill employee vacancies and cope with supply chain disruptions.
Sixty percent of pharmacies surveyed said they were dealing with supply chain disruptions, and nearly 70 percent said it was difficult to fill staff vacancies.
Stay abreast of the latest development of mutant virus and epidemic vaccine, download the Hong Kong Economic Times App for free now 【 Click here
Editor-in-Chief: Cheng Kam-ling
Follow the latest financial news analysis, like hket Facebook
Subscribe to the Hong Kong Economic Times email newsletter
Receive first-hand financial news Learn more about investment and financial knowledge Submit my consent to receive promotional messages from Hong Kong Economic Times Group. You may also check the privacy policy of this website Terms of Use

Adderall, a medication for ADHD, is in short supply due to manufacturing delays and high demand, with alternatives like methylphenidate available.

Title:

Content: Special Education

Some ADHD Medications Are in Short Supply. Schools Are Feeling the Fallout

By Elizabeth Heubeck — March 03, 2023 4 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

In recent weeks, teachers have been forwarding emails from parents to Kelly Barlow-Eichman, the sole school nurse for the Shorewood, Wisc., school district, about possible behavioral struggles their children may be having in class.

The emails, Barlow-Eichman said, read something like this: Hey, if you’re noticing some behavioral struggles, please know my child is not taking their medications. Or they are trying a different dose.

It’s a message to which California mom Jess Berthold can relate. Berthold described the immediate change in her son as “night and day” when, at 6 years of age, he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and prescribed Adderall, a stimulant commonly used to manage the inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that accompany the disorder.

Before he began taking the medication, Berthold said, “he was always climbing all over everything, clumsy and out of control. He was unable to sit still, even to eat a meal.”

There was also trouble at school. He wasn’t listening, wasn’t keeping his hands to himself. “His behavior was interfering with his learning,” she said.

Now 13 and in 7th grade, Berthold’s son continues to rely on a generic version of Adderall to help manage his ADHD symptoms. But a recent nationwide shortage of the medication has left Berthold stretching her son’s existing supply—he’s taking lower doses and going without it on weekends—while she continues to monitor area pharmacies for re-stocked inventory.

“He doesn’t like it. He says he feels out of control,” said Berthold.

It’s a feeling shared by countless families and, by extension, school nurses, who normally manage students’ medication at the 40 percent of the nation’s schools that have nurses on campus.
“It’s a little bit of desperation, for school nurses and families. It [the shortage] is impacting a lot of kids,” said Barlow-Eichman, who is also president of the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses.

The shortage, blamed primarily on manufacturing delays, was first announced by the federal Food and Drug Administration in October and continues to affect various parts of the country intermittently. It presents a problem for children in affected areas who rely on the medication to stay focused in school.

Nationally, about 10 percent of children ages 3–17 have received a diagnosis of ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and up to 81 percent of them rely on medication as part of their treatment protocol.

School nurses monitoring the situation

School nurses are keeping a close watch on the shortage of Adderall. Frequently, they’re taking the lead in communicating updates and offering insight to parents, school staff and health-care providers.

“It is a lot for school nurses to do. We navigate the health-care and education system and know how to bring them together,” said Kate King, the president-elect for the National Association of School Nurses. “This is why we need a full-time school nurse in every building, every day.”

That’s especially true at a time like this. “Early last week, we started to have parents come to us letting us know their child was not going to be taking an afternoon dose of their ADHD medicine, because they either couldn’t get it, or switching to a different medication wasn’t an option for them,” said Barlow-Eichman.

Solutions aren’t necessarily simple

There are multiple types of stimulants used to manage symptoms of ADHD, but finding the one that works best can be a matter of trial and error, and families often hesitate to switch to a different medication that may not work as well or bring unwanted side effects, Barlow-Eichman said.

Berthold, the California mother, can relate. “I’ve talked with my doctor about switching to a different medication that’s not in shortage, but I’m terrified of it,” she said.

She’s so hesitant that she has opted to ration her son’s remaining Adderall pills rather than trying methylphenidate, another frequently used stimulant for ADHD known by the brand names Ritalin and Concerta.

Berthold said she’s spent upwards of five hours on the phone with various pharmacies in an effort to find Adderall. “I’m lucky. I have a job where I can take hours out of my day,” she said. “I really feel for parents who aren’t in my position.”

Having the time to spend searching for Adderall is one thing. Having the budget to spend on the brand-name version, which sources said is no longer in as short supply as its generic and less costly form (dextroamphetamine-amphetamine) is another. Berthold wrestled with the idea of paying about $400 for a month’s supply of brand-name Adderall, which she was able to find, versus the $5 she normally pays for the generic version, currently not in stock near her. But for now, she’s settling for the rationing method.

Barlow-Eichman acknowledges this challenge, even among school communities whose demographics, as in her district, skew to middle or upper middle-class. “I think financially, a lot of families have had the means to make adjustments. But I think we’re at a point where that’s not necessarily feasible or something these families are able to continue with,” she said.

Barlow-Eichman routinely checks the FDA website on her work computer to get updates on the shortage, which she will then share with affected families.

She’s also prioritizing communication with staff. “I’m working with principals now on a statement that will go out to all our staff that will let them know about shortages,” Barlow-Eichman said. “Making sure teachers understand that this is out of the control of parents and students.”

Events

Jobs Virtual Career Fair for Teachers and K-12 Staff
Find teaching jobs and other jobs in K-12 education at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special Education Webinar
Big Goals, Small Start: Building MTSS to Scale
MTSS is a powerful framework for supporting student success, but implementation can be challenging. Learn from districts about their MTSS success stories and challenges.
Content provided by Panorama Education
School & District Management Webinar How Culturally Responsive Leadership Leads to Student Success
Discover how to create a learning environment where all students feel valued and supported, and how to accelerate learning for English learners and students of color.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Special Education Letter to the Editor Teach Both General and Special Education With a Purpose
"Education is about creating an environment where everyone can learn and grow," says this letter to the editor.
1 min read
Special Education Q&A This Teacher Helps Students With Disabilities Find Agency Through Communication
An award-winning special education teacher shares insights on pandemic recovery and building agency for students with disabilities.
5 min read
Special Education Supreme Court Seems in Favor of Deaf Student's Right to Sue School District Under the ADA
Miguel Luna Perez was there as the justices weighed issues in his case over his district allegedly failing to provide trained interpreters.
7 min read
Special Education A Deaf Student Says His School District Failed Him. The Supreme Court Will Decide
Miguel Luna Perez received inadequate assistance for 12 years, his suit says. The high court will decide if he can pursue money damages.
10 min read

Primary caretakers can stay informed about medication shortages through online resources and work with healthcare providers to develop contingency plans.

The FDA website and Poison Control Helpline offer information on medication shortages, and pharmacists can provide therapeutic alternatives.

Title:

Content: As drug shortage list grows, many hospitals face tough decisions on rationing care

More than half of hospital pharmacists are reporting a critical shortage of chemotherapy drugs and nearly all are reporting overall medicine supply gaps as prescription drug shortages near an all time high, according to a new survey.

Hospital pharmacists said drug shortages have forced 1 in 3 health systems to delay, cancel or ration care or switch to alternate drugs to continue to treat patients. And 99% are reporting some drug supply shortages, an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists survey of more than 1,000 pharmacists released Thursday found.

The organization reported shortages of 309 drugs, near the all-time high of 320 shortages in 2014. The scarcity of key drugs is prompting hospitals to find or substitute drugs and change treatment plans as needed.

“In some cases, there are no alternatives to the affected drugs, which puts patients at risk," ASHP Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Abramowitz said in a statement. "This issue requires quick action from Congress to address the underlying causes of shortages and ensure patients have the medications they need.”

Cancer drug shortages

In June, the Food and Drug Administration said it will temporarily allow overseas drug manufacturers to import some chemotherapy drugs.

The FDA allowed Qilu Pharmaceutical, a drug manufacturer in China, to import the injectable chemotherapy drug cisplatin in 50-milligram vials. Toronto pharmaceutical company Apotex Corp. will distribute the medication in the United States.

More than a dozen cancer drugs have been in shortage in recent months, including cisplatin and carboplatin, used to treat lung, breast, prostate and gynecologic cancers. The National Cancer Institute said cisplatin and similar drugs are prescribed for 10% to 20% of all cancer patients.

In June, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network released a survey of 27 academic cancer centers that found 93% reported shortages of carboplatin and 70% faced shortages of cisplatin.

When cancer hospitals face such shortages, they attempt to make sure there's enough medication for patients to finish the course of treatment, said Mike Ganio, ASHP's senior director of pharmacy practice and quality.

Cancer hospitals facing such shortages might change medications for new patients starting on chemotherapy, said Ganio, a former pharmacy manager at an academic cancer center.

"You try to keep that patient on the same regimen as much as you can, unless they're failing it for some reason, and then you would switch," Ganio said.

Steroids, hormonal drugs also in short supply

More than 1 in 5 hospital pharmacists also reported shortages for steroids, hormonal drugs and oral liquids such as lidocaine, ibuprofen and amoxicillin.

A smaller number of pharmacists said heart medications, emergency prefilled syringes and drugs used for intensive care unit patients were in short supply. Others reported shortages of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medicines, antimicrobial drugs and injectable opioids.

In all, about two-thirds of pharmacists said the shortages were "moderately impactful," which means they are managing shortages but patients are affected.

Pharmacists are managing the shortages by offering therapeutic alternatives, buying different vial sizes or concentrations and rationing medicines.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Survey: Drug shortages are widespread, hospitals ration care

Regular reviews, pharmacist support, and precision medicine can help ensure accurate medication for elderly patients.

Title:

Content: Health
2024-06-04 04: 29: 56
Daily News
Support the elderly to avoid the crisis of multi-use drug admission
Share:
It is common for the elderly to go to several specialties for follow-up. Then they have to be prescribed a variety of drugs. In some cases, they take up to 51 pills a day!
However, the use, time and dosage of each drug are different, and it is easy to confuse and lead to misuse of the drug, increasing the risk of drug effect changes and side effects, and more likely to lead to hospitalization.
More than 5 drugs are used at the same time.
Professor Wong Chi-sang, Professor of Public Health and Primary Care at CUHK School of Medicine and Director of the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, said: “For example, there are interactions between drugs that can change the efficacy of drugs or increase side effects; complex drug use plans can also reduce the patient ’ s adherence to drugs; even because they are prone to fall, poor nutrition and emotional instability after taking drugs, the risk of admission is several times higher. ” The risk of death has increased by more than ten times."
5 Ways to Reduce Adverse Reactions
Huang Chih-sheng believes that the concerted efforts of doctors, pharmacists and patients can help reduce the chance of adverse reactions after using drugs.
1.
Simplify medication regimen: use complex drugs with caution; adjust the dose or frequency of use of drugs to reduce the burden of drugs.
2.
Use a medicine box or a regular reminder: help the elderly to use the medicine on time to avoid taking too much or missing.
3.
Regular review: increase communication between doctors and patients, adjust treatment methods in a timely manner to ensure drug adaptability and effectiveness; pharmacists can help monitor and support drug use.
4.
Education and support: Pharmacists can organize seminars, etc., to provide drug education to the elderly and their families, and provide support and encouragement.
5.
Combine with other treatments: a healthy lifestyle, with exercise, psychological support, or to help reduce the dose of medication.
Enhance drug management capabilities
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Subsidy Scheme: Drug Use Support and Education Programme for the Elderly assists and educates the elderly in solving their drug problems through community outreach pharmacists.
According to the project manager, Lina Tsai, pharmacists will conduct 1-to-1 consultation with the elderly patients with multi-use drugs to help them integrate drugs, arrange medication time suitable for daily life, simplify medication use procedures such as medicine box packaging, and establish a complete drug list to facilitate caregivers and health care personnel to understand the elderly situation.
“Over the past two years, the programme has served 1,381 elderly people, of whom more than 30% have been prescribed more than 10 drugs.
According to the questionnaire survey, nearly 20% and more than 40% of service users had disobeyed and forgot to take their medication before participating in the scheme, respectively, reflecting the lack of drug education and support in the elderly community, and the scheme is able to fill the gap. "
Precision Medicine
Another reason for this is that Western medicine often uses multiple drugs to treat one disease and another to deal with side effects caused by the drug.
Geriatrics specialist Dr Chan Chun-man reminded, “If you have a list of medicines for doctors to review, it will help you adjust the prescription to achieve the purpose of accurate medication. ”
If you don ’ t have a list of medications, you can also save the drug labels and dose photos on your phone.
"Geriatricians have a better understanding of drug interactions and can act as family doctors for the elderly and coordinate the prescriptions of different specialists," added Dr Ma Han-ming, a specialist in geriatrics.
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Services Fund, Dr. Jiang Xiuzhu, hopes that the Government can pay attention to the problem of over-use of drugs by the elderly, formulate standardized and optimized prescription procedures, achieve the purpose of reducing prescriptions, and provide more resources to support the elderly to use drugs correctly and improve safety.
By accepting the following privacy policy and disclaimer, you agree to the privacy policy and disclaimer contained in am730.
LEARN MORE
Acceptance

Caregivers can help patients take medications as directed, monitor for food interactions, and assist in emergencies.

Title:

Content: What are the challenges for caregivers?
Font Size:
Caregivers face many challenges in caring for patients, including the need to know what medications the patient is taking.
What are some tips to help ensure that patients take their medication correctly? Sun Shi-min, a pharmacist at Yue Leng Community Hospital, was asked by the New Tomorrow Daily to give advice.
Chemist Sun Shimin said it is especially important for caregivers to know what medications patients are taking because:
• Caregivers can help remind patients to take their medications as directed, or help monitor patients to avoid foods that interact with medications.
• If medications are changed, caregivers can help monitor the efficacy and side effects of medications.
• In the event of an emergency, if the patient cannot recall what medication he or she is taking, or if he or she cannot communicate well with a healthcare professional, the caregiver can assist if necessary.
To ensure that patients take their medication correctly, pharmacist Sun Shimin advises caregivers to:
• Adopting a “reminder ” strategy, such as setting an alarm clock or posting a sticker to remind you when to take your medication.
• Ensure that patients use their medication in the right way, including using the inhaler correctly, injecting insulin correctly, and so on.
• Be aware that patients may interact with other medications or foods, and that some medications cannot be crushed, chewed, or cut.
LIKE Our official Facebook page for more information
Hot word

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule adjustments, Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform, and integrated healthcare services propose payment increases to support patient treatment and reduce medication costs.

Title:

Content: LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

This Week: Potential Year-End Health Legislation

U.S. Congress passed a "laddered" Continuing Resolution (CR) on Nov. 16, 2023, temporarily averting a government shutdown. The CR extended funding through Jan. 19, 2024, for health programs set to expire on Nov. 17, 2023. It also averted Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) cuts and reinstated the expired Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) through Jan. 19, 2024. Given this Jan. 19, deadline and considering that several other significant items are a priority for Congress in the coming weeks – including funding for Israel, Ukraine and passing the annual National Defense Authorization Bill (NDAA) – it is unlikely that major healthcare legislation will pass before the end of the year. However, there is a limited chance legislation to mitigate impending Medicare physician payment cuts could serve as a small healthcare vehicle before the year's end.

Currently, an across-the-board 2.5 percent positive adjustment to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for Calendar Year (CY) 2023 is slated to decrease to 1.25 percent for CY 2024. In addition, a negative 2.18 percent adjustment triggered by budget neutrality requirements and a statutory 0 percent update to the MPFS are both scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, resulting in an expected net decrease of 3.7 percent for CY 2024. Several members, including U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), have expressed an interest in addressing the cuts before they take effect. Earlier this month, the Senate Committee on Finance marked up a package that would extend the full 2.5 percent positive adjustment through 2024. Should any efforts to extend this positive adjustment by year-end 2023 be successful, other measures that may be considered could include an extension to the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) bonus incentives for performance year 2023 (at either the current 3.5 percent, or more likely, at 1.75 percent). Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act provisions that expired Sept. 30, 2023, might also be considered. Specifically, reinstating the state plan amendment (SPA) option – which allows a state to amend its Medicaid plan to provide for an exception to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion for certain Medicaid beneficiaries – has been a bipartisan priority in both the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

Otherwise, most items will likely be pushed to Jan. 19, 2024, at the earliest. These items include, but are not limited to:

  • Measures related to Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform such as proposals marked up in both chambers to "delink" PBM compensation from drug costs, as well as to impose a variety of transparency and data reporting requirements on PBMs
  • Proposals to incentivize integrated primary and behavioral healthcare such as legislation to temporarily increase MPFS payments rates for certain integrated primary and behavioral healthcare services by 75 percent in 2026, 50 percent in 2027 and 25 percent in 2028
  • Legislation to require Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to establish an electronic prior authorization program and meet new standards for timing and transparency
  • Reauthorization of expired SUPPORT Act provisions

This Week's Energy and Commerce Health Hearings

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen will testify on Nov. 30, 2023, in front of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations at a hearing, "Unmasking Challenges CDC Faces in Rebuilding Public Trust Amid Respiratory Illness Season." The hearing marks Cohen's first appearance before Congress. Additionally, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing, "Understanding How AI is Changing Health Care," on Nov. 29, 2023.

Retirements Continue to Mount

Several lawmakers recently announced plans to retire from Congress after this term. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D- Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Health, will leave office after a three-decade congressional career. Eshoo has played a pivotal role in healthcare policy – from prescription drug prices and shortages, biomedical research and health insurance access.

Additionally, Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-Texas), announced that he will not seek reelection next year. Burgess is the second highest-ranking Republican on both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Rules and co-chairs the GOP Physician Caucus. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, MD (R-Ohio), who also serves on the GOP Physician Caucus and the House Committee on Ways and Means, recently announced his retirement.

Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), who serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and is the second-most senior Democrat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Health announced on Nov. 20, 2023, that he would not seek re-election in 2024. Additionally, Rep. Dan Kildee (D- Mich.), a House Committee on Ways and Means member, will retire from Congress at the end of his term. A running list of members of Congress who are retiring or seeking other office is available online.

REGULATORY UPDATES

White House Seeks to Secure Medical Supply Chain

President Joe Biden announced on Nov. 27, 2023, plans to issue a Presidential Determination to broaden the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) authorities under Title III of the Defense Production Act to enable investment in domestic manufacturing of essential medicines, medical countermeasures and critical inputs that have been deemed by the president as essential to national defense. HHS will also designate a new supply chain resilience and shortage coordinator for efforts to strengthen the resilience of medical production. The plan is a piece of a larger framework of 30 new actions the president unveiled seeking to strengthen America's supply chains.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

The SUPPORT Act, Presidential Determination, and the Intravenous Infusion Drug Quality Control System can aid opioid recovery, invest in domestic medicine manufacturing, and improve patient safety.