The current medication shortage crisis is a growing concern, with 323 drugs in shortage in the US as of 2024, affecting over half a million patients.

The shortage of medications, including Adderall, amoxicillin, and chemotherapy drugs, can have severe consequences for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions.

Manufacturing and quality problems are the primary causes of most drug shortages, while high demand can also contribute to the issue.

The lack of transparency in the pharmaceutical industry hinders the response to drug shortages, making it challenging for healthcare systems to cope.

The FDA has announced a nationwide Adderall shortage, and pharmacies are experiencing backorders, making it difficult for patients to access necessary medications.

Alternative medications, such as Vyvanse, are available for ADHD patients, but they can be expensive, and patients should consult their doctors before switching.

The FDA is working with manufacturers to mitigate drug shortages, but the process can be complex and time-consuming.

The DEA tracks and sets limits on amphetamine production, which can impact the availability of Adderall.

Patients with ADHD who cannot access Adderall may experience difficulties in managing their condition, leading to decreased focus, increased risk of car accidents, and emergency room visits.

The shortage of Adderall has been caused by manufacturing delays and labor shortages, which have contributed to a ripple effect, hindering patients with ADHD.

To manage medication shortages, patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to find alternative medicines or switch to different brands of needed medication.

Pharmacists can collaborate with providers to find available strengths of a medication, and providers can change dosage or forms to replace typical medication.

However, patients should not change medications without consulting their providers, as this can lead to adverse effects.

The FDA has limited the ingredients of amphetamine, which can exacerbate the shortage of Adderall and other ADHD medications.

Manufacturing problems, quality issues, and production delays are the primary causes of medication shortages, which can be exacerbated by a fragmented supply chain.

The lack of transparency and communication between pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies can hinder the response to medication shortages.

Parents and caregivers should consult primary care physicians and pharmacists to find alternative solutions and manage medication shortages.

The Poison Control Helpline can also provide assistance and guidance on managing medication shortages and avoiding dangerous alternatives.

Hospital pharmacists report critical shortages of chemotherapy drugs, steroids, hormonal drugs, and oral liquids, which can have severe consequences for patients.

The FDA allows the import of chemotherapy drugs from overseas manufacturers to address the shortage, but more needs to be done to prevent and manage medication shortages.

The White House has proposed $3.26-5.11 billion to address shortages, and the FDA needs more power to access drug shortage information to mitigate the issue.

Overall, medication shortages can have severe consequences for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, and it is essential to address the root causes and develop strategies to prevent and manage shortages.

To develop a personalized plan for managing medication shortages and ensuring continuity of care, it is essential to work closely with your parent's healthcare provider.

Physicians can help identify alternative medicines during shortages, and healthcare professionals can provide suitable therapeutic alternatives.

A dedicated person can help with drug purchase and contact the FDA for information, and alternative drugs can be used at the same or lower price as the original prescription.

Regular review of medications can ensure effectiveness and adaptability, and pharmacists can help monitor and support drug use.

Elderly patients often take multiple medications with different uses and dosages, and taking over 5 drugs simultaneously increases the risk of adverse reactions.

Simplifying medication regimens can reduce adverse reactions, and combining medication with a healthy lifestyle can reduce dosage needs.

Geriatricians can coordinate prescriptions and adjust medications, and having a list of medications can help doctors review and adjust prescriptions.

Standardized prescription procedures can reduce over-use of medications, and patients can switch to alternative medicines during shortages.

Healthcare professionals can provide information on temporary alternative products, and generic medicines can ensure continuity of treatment.

Clinical pharmacists can manage pharmacotherapy in collaboration with healthcare providers, coordinate with medical teams to adopt best treatments, and follow up with patients on medication interactions.

Clinical pharmacists can also reduce drug treatment costs and improve quality, participate in quality improvement plans for safe drug treatment, and ensure safe application of treatment plans developed by doctors.

To address medication shortages, patients can consult with pharmacists about temporary alternative products, and alternative strengths and brands of medicines can be used.

Valhalla Vitality addresses medication shortages with pharmacy partnerships and provides personalized wellness care through patient feedback.

Discussing caregiving with parents to plan for future care, making a list of open-ended questions to start the conversation, and talking about resources to pay for care, such as insurance, can also help.

Considering long-term care insurance for chronic conditions, preparing financially for caregiving by setting money aside, and estate planning can also be beneficial.

Designating a beneficiary for each financial account, creating an advance health care directive for incapacitation, and making a will to hand down assets and responsibilities can also help.

Hiring a lawyer is necessary to officially create an estate plan, and having a plan in place can help ensure continuity of care during medication shortages.

The current medication shortage crisis is a growing concern, with 323 drugs in shortage in the US as of 2024, affecting over half a million patients.

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 shortage of medications, including Adderall, amoxicillin, and chemotherapy drugs, can have severe consequences for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions.

Title:

Content: Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices

Reporter: Andryanna Sheppard
Published: Updated:
Lea este artículo en Noticias WINK

Millions of people in the United States depend on prescription drugs to manage pain, treat medical conditions, and even to help them stay alive. However, the country’s drug shortage is making it hard for some people to get the medication they need or pay for the drugs that are available.

Federal Drug Administration data shows 90 percent of prescriptions in the US are for generic drugs. According to the National Institutes of Health, most prescription drugs involved in shortages are generic options.

There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s prescription drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.

Jessica Kahn’s two sons were diagnosed with ADD.

“I would say tricky, tricky to navigate,” Kahn described.

For the past year, Kahn said getting their medication has been frustrating.

“I have my list of all the pharmacies. I’ve even driven all the way up north to Walgreens or a CVS, some random place to go pick up a kids’ prescription,” Kahn added.

According to the FDA, prescription drug shortages are often linked to manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. Two drugs used in chemotherapy, Adderall, lidocaine, and amoxicillin are just a couple of the prescription medications on the shortage list.

When drug supplies are low, prices tend to increase. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is a 16.6 percent increase in the price of drugs involved in a shortage. And in some cases, alternative drugs were priced at least three times higher.

“You got to be very conscientious that it might not be available and that it is not an option,” Kahn advised. “No matter how many places you call, it’s not there.”

Beating the prescription drug shortage

Health experts offer these tips:

  • Check the national drug shortage list for your medication and possible alternatives.
  • Don’t wait until your prescription is almost gone to refill it.
  • Check other pharmacies for availability and if you can’t find the generic version, look for coupons or programs that offer payment help. Some patients have reported that they receive additional help to reduce some prescription costs from $100 to $10, it’s not allowed if you are already on Medicare.
  • Websites and apps like GoodRX, RX Saver and WellRX can help you find the cheapest place that has your medication and coupons for it.

Contributors to this news report include: Lindsay Dailey, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.

Manufacturing and quality problems are the primary causes of most drug shortages, while high demand can also contribute to the issue.

The lack of transparency in the pharmaceutical industry hinders the response to drug shortages, making it challenging for healthcare systems to cope.

The FDA has announced a nationwide Adderall shortage, and pharmacies are experiencing backorders, making it difficult for patients to access necessary medications.

Title:

Content: Clara Pitts has always strived for perfection.

The 17-year-old Utah native has been named a 2023 National Merit Scholarship finalist. And she heads to Brigham Young University as a freshman this fall.

But despite all of her achievements, Clara has one thing weighing on her mind: What if she fails?

Clara was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 10th grade, during the summer of 2020, after months of digital schooling had started to take its toll.

"For the first time, I started struggling with getting my homework done [and] having a set schedule that I had to do myself," Clara said. "It was because of online school."

So along with her mother, Rebekah, she made the decision to try medication.

"I didn't realize just how much my ADHD was inhibiting me from acting the same way as all of my friends until I had that experience of leveling the playing field," Clara said.

By December 2020, Clara was prescribed 10 milligrams of Adderall, a formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, to be taken twice a day. Immediately, she noticed a difference.

"It seemed like the logical course of action, like something that shouldn't have been happening in my brain was being fixed," Clara said. "Naturally, my brain goes really, really fast, and I don't even notice it because it's what I've grown up with, and it's the only mind I've ever experienced. But once I started having a different experience mentally, I felt a lot calmer."

For the two years that followed, Clara was finally able to lead what she called a normal life, managing school, extracurricular activities and social life -- all with the help of Adderall.

But in October 2022, Clara's sense of calm was stripped away when the US Food and Drug Administration announced a shortage of Adderall and its generic counterparts.

"I hadn't heard anything about a shortage," she said. "I didn't really take it seriously at first until later that week -- maybe three or four days later -- when I started to hear news about the shortage, and it really started to sink in."

CNN first spoke with Clara and her mother, Rebekah, about a month after the FDA's announcement. At the time, Clara had eight Adderall pills left in her prescription bottle -- enough to last her four days.

"Initially, I was just very surprised when I tried to refill the prescription and they would not [refill it]," Rebekah says. "Very quickly, I went from surprised to afraid."

On October 24, Rebekah texted Clara the bad news. The shortage had finally affected them, and their pharmacy could not refill Clara's medication due to the shortage.

"They wouldn't put you on a waiting list," Rebekah texted her daughter. "I'm just sitting here crying because I can't get you these meds."

Rebekah says she called eight local pharmacies, and each one turned up empty.

"I felt really emotional about it in that first week or two ... like I had failed my child, even though it wasn't my fault," Rebekah said. "I felt scared for what that would mean for her as a senior."

Why is there a shortage?

The FDA announced a shortage of Adderall on October 12. The agency noted that it was in communication with all manufacturers of amphetamine mixed salts and that one of those companies, Teva, was "experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays." Although other manufacturers continued to produce the drug, the agency said, "there is not sufficient supply to continue to meet U.S. market demand through those producers."

Jim McKinney, a spokesperson for the agency, told CNN that the manufacturing delay has been resolved and that the shortage is now "demand-driven."

Data from the analytics and research company IQVIA shows that the demand for Adderall has risen nearly 27% in recent years, with prescriptions jumping from 35.5 million in 2019 to 45 million last year.

On its website, the FDA lists eight manufacturers that have reported Adderall shortages to the agency. The website lists the shortage reason for some versions of the drug, such as "demand increase" or "shortage of active ingredient," but for other versions, it just says "other" or lists no reason at all.

Each year, the Drug Enforcement Administration tracks and sets a limit on production of amphetamine, one of the key ingredients in Adderall. It says that for the past three years, manufacturers didn't expend all of the ingredients that were available for their use.

"DEA is committed to ensuring that all Americans can readily access needed medications," an agency spokesperson told CNN in a statement. "We are aware that the pharmaceutical industry is claiming that there is a quota shortage for the active ingredients in ADHD drugs. Based on DEA's information -- which is provided by drug manufacturers -- this is not true."

CNN reached out to the eight manufacturers that reported shortages to the FDA.

Teva Pharmaceuticals, Epic Pharma and Rhodes Pharmaceuticals did not respond. Alvogen, SpecGX and Sunrise Pharmaceutical declined to comment.

Sandoz said it had enough product to meet current customer orders. Lannett also said it had enough to meet current customer orders but added that it did not have enough to fulfill increased demand.

McKinney, the FDA spokesperson, said supply is increasing.

"The FDA recognizes the potential impact that reduced availability of certain products may have on health care providers and patients and is working closely with numerous manufacturers and others in the supply chain to understand, mitigate and prevent or reduce the impact of intermittent or reduced availability of certain products," he said.

McKinney clarified that although the FDA is working with manufacturers, the agency does not make drugs and "cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug."

Dr. Yoram Unguru, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist with joint faculty appointments at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai and the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, studies drug shortages.

He says a lack of transparency about details -- how big the shortage is and how much drug each company is making -- is hindering solutions.

"Pharmaceutical manufacturers are not required to disclose the reason for disrupted supply. Knowing the exact reason for a given shortage is always challenging," Unguru said. "It's really difficult to be able to anticipate and let alone come up with meaningful solutions if you don't know what the problem is."

The search for alternatives

Clara ultimately went without Adderall for two and half months as she coped with the stresses of senior year. She began taking a different ADHD medication, Vyvanse, in mid-January.

Rebekah says she hopes Adderall will be an option for Clara again one day, adding that she doesn't have the emotional stamina to keep searching for the medication.

"I would like her to have medication as an option and for it to be reliable, because college will probably be the hardest journey for her with ADHD."

Clara says that life without Adderall is like trying to see the world vividly while wearing smudged glasses.

"You go around with dirty glasses. You get used to it, and you don't realize that they're dirty. But when you clean them off, having that extra bit of clarity makes a world of difference."

The-CNN-Wire

™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

CNN's Raenu Charles and Janelle Chavez contributed to this report.

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Alternative medications, such as Vyvanse, are available for ADHD patients, but they can be expensive, and patients should consult their doctors before switching.

The FDA is working with manufacturers to mitigate drug shortages, but the process can be complex and time-consuming.

The DEA tracks and sets limits on amphetamine production, which can impact the availability of Adderall.

Patients with ADHD who cannot access Adderall may experience difficulties in managing their condition, leading to decreased focus, increased risk of car accidents, and emergency room visits.

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National opioid settlement's affect on Adderall shortage leaves patients in need

National opioid settlement's affect on Adderall shortage leaves patients in need
GREENSBORO WITH THE STORY. ACCORDING TO BLOOMBERG NEWS, THE SHORTAGE IS ALSO LINKED TO THE NATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT. PART OF THAT SETTLEMENT RESTRICTS THE USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AS A WAY TO MAKE SURE THERE’S NOT ABUSED. BUT AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT AS RESTRICTED ADHD PATIENTS FROM GETTING THE DRUG THEY NEED. ADDERALL. BLOOMBERG REPORTS, QUOTE, SECRET POLICIES MANDATED BY A NATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT HAVE TURNED FILLING LEGITIMATE PRESCRIPTIONS INTO A MAJOR HEADACHE. IT’S, YOU KNOW, A LIFESAVER. PEOPLE WITH ADHD HAVE MORE CORRECT EVIDENCE. THEY WIND UP BEING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, MORE USING MORE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. DR. ANNE CHILDRESS, PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF ADHD, SAYS THE DRUG SHORTAGE ALSO AFFECTS GENERIC ALTERNATIVES TO ADDERALL, WHICH ARE OFTEN NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. IT’S SAD TO SEE HIM SUFFER IN THAT WAY BECAUSE HE WENT FROM A STUDENT TO MOSTLY F’S. PARENTS LIKE SARA HEPLER TOLD WXII 12 NEWS RECENTLY HOW THE SHORTAGE IS AFFECTING THEIR KIDS. THAT WAS VERY FRESH DRAINING TO ME, NOT IN TERMS OF HIS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, BUT IN TERMS OF, OH MY GOODNESS. THIS RIPPLE EFFECT. ADHD IS TYPICALLY DIAGNOSED IN CHILDREN, BUT ALSO AFFECTS ADULTS. SOME PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ADHD. IT’S LIKE, OH, IT’S JUST A COSMETIC DISORDER, BUT IT’S NOT. I MEAN, IT’S A REAL DISORDER. IT SHORTENS PEOPLE’S LIFE SPANS. ADDERALL, THE MAIN DRUG USED TO CONTROL ADHD. HD, IS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MEDICATION. AND AS SUCH, THE AMOUNT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES CAN MAKE IS CONTROLLED BY THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. THE SHORTAGE OF ADDERALL BEGAN IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE FDA. YOU’RE HOPEFUL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NEARING END TO THE SHORTAGE OF ALCOHOL. I’M HOPING BECAUSE I GET A HEADACHE EVERY DAY WITH UPSET, UPSET PATIENTS AND UPSET PARENTS. IT’S NOT CLEAR HOW THE NATIONAL SETTLEMENT ON OPIOIDS WILL AFFECT THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDERALL AND THE SHORTAGE IN THE FUTURE. IN GREENSBORO ON BIL
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National opioid settlement's affect on Adderall shortage leaves patients in need
The Adderall shortage is creating a ripple effect that's hindering patients with ADHD.According to Bloomberg News, the shortage is also linked to the National Opioid Settlement.Part of the settlement is intended to restrict controlled substances so they aren't abused.Top StoriesParents of Davidson County teen abducted and found, share messageReal-time updates: Flood advisory issued for parts of North CarolinaGreensboro Police: Winston-Salem woman killed in crash on U.S. Route 29Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereBut, an unintended consequence of the opioid settlement has restricted ADHD patients from getting the drug they need; Adderall.Bloomberg reports that "secret policies mandated by a national opioid settlement have turned filling legitimate prescriptions into a major headache.""It's a lifesaver. People with ADHD have more car accidents, they wind up being in the emergency room more using more emergency medical services because they're not paying attention," Dr. Ann Childress, president-elect of the American Professional Society of ADHD, said.Childress said the drug shortage also affects generic alternatives to Adderall, which are often not covered by insurance."It was sad to see him suffer in that way. Because he went from an A/B student to mostly Fs," Sara Hepler, parent to a boy with ADHD, said. "That was very frustrating to me, not in terms of his academic performance, but in terms of this ripple effect."ADHD is typically diagnosed in children, but also affects adults."Some people think about ADHD like 'oh, it's just a cosmetic disorder,' but it's not. It's a real disorder. It shortens people's lifespans," Childress said.Adderall, the main drug used to treat ADHD, is a controlled substance medication. Because of this, the amount pharmaceutical companies can manufacture is controlled by the drug enforcement administration.According to the Food and Drug Administration, the shortage of Adderall began in October 2022. Childress said she's hoping the problem is near an end."I get a headache every day with upset patients and upset parents," Childress said.It's not clear how the new information about the national opioid settlement limiting Adderall prescriptions will affect the drug's shortage.Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsNAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We LoveTRENDING STORIESKeep up with local news, weather, and current events with the WXII app here

The Adderall shortage is creating a ripple effect that's hindering patients with ADHD.

According to Bloomberg News, the shortage is also linked to the National Opioid Settlement.

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Part of the settlement is intended to restrict controlled substances so they aren't abused.

Top Stories

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here

But, an unintended consequence of the opioid settlement has restricted ADHD patients from getting the drug they need; Adderall.

Bloomberg reports that "secret policies mandated by a national opioid settlement have turned filling legitimate prescriptions into a major headache."

"It's a lifesaver. People with ADHD have more car accidents, they wind up being in the emergency room more using more emergency medical services because they're not paying attention," Dr. Ann Childress, president-elect of the American Professional Society of ADHD, said.

Childress said the drug shortage also affects generic alternatives to Adderall, which are often not covered by insurance.

"It was sad to see him suffer in that way. Because he went from an A/B student to mostly Fs," Sara Hepler, parent to a boy with ADHD, said. "That was very frustrating to me, not in terms of his academic performance, but in terms of this ripple effect."

ADHD is typically diagnosed in children, but also affects adults.

"Some people think about ADHD like 'oh, it's just a cosmetic disorder,' but it's not. It's a real disorder. It shortens people's lifespans," Childress said.

Adderall, the main drug used to treat ADHD, is a controlled substance medication. Because of this, the amount pharmaceutical companies can manufacture is controlled by the drug enforcement administration.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the shortage of Adderall began in October 2022.

Childress said she's hoping the problem is near an end.

"I get a headache every day with upset patients and upset parents," Childress said.

It's not clear how the new information about the national opioid settlement limiting Adderall prescriptions will affect the drug's shortage.

Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts

NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love

TRENDING STORIES

Keep up with local news, weather, and current events with the WXII app here

The shortage of Adderall has been caused by manufacturing delays and labor shortages, which have contributed to a ripple effect, hindering patients with ADHD.

Title:

Content: Nationwide Adderall shortage impacting area pharmacies in the Panhandle

Published: Oct. 19, 2022 at 5:07 PM CDT|Updated: 19 minutes ago

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - The Food and Drug Administration has declared a nationwide Adderall shortage and the Panhandle is feeling the affects.

The FDA blames the shortage on manufacturing delays.

Health experts say a shortage in stimulant medications is actually not a rare occurrence.

“The amount of medication that is produced is limited and regulated by the government, so there have been other years where towards the end of the year in particular, we start to struggle with supply issues. In this case, however, while that does seem to be probably one of the contributing factors, the other issue we’re facing, at least what we’re hearing about it right now, is that the manufacturing delays have been an issue and some of that has been secondary to the labor shortages,” said Dr. Carolyn Lentsch-Parcells, pediatrician and assistant professor at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.

Martin Tipton Pharmacy is being impacted by this shortage.

“We’re having to order from various manufacturers right now, not our normal manufactures just because we cannot get them from our normal ones,” said Mark Vogler, Martin Tipton Pharmacy.

Fortunately its patients have been able to get their needed medication, just a different brand.

Amarillo Pharmacy is also being impacted, saying the drug has been back ordered for the past two months.

The Amarillo Pharmaceutical Care Center at Texas Tech Physicians is also seeing a back order on one of the strengths of the drug.

“The drug company manufacturers short-acting and extended-release, for example. So, a pharmacist, in this situation, will work collaboratively with the patient’s provider to find an available strength and dosage to meet the patient’s needs until the original strength becomes available again,” said Amarillo Pharmaceutical Care Center at Texas Tech Physicians.

Dr. Lentsch-Parcells acknowledged this may be an uneasy time for those depending on Adderall, especially with the end of the semester and holidays approaching. She encourages you to reach out to your providers.

“There are various strategies that we will sometimes use to help our patients get the best care possible, while we are trying to ride out the shortage, so that might be changing dosage or using dosage forms that are available to replace their typical medication,” said Dr. Lentsch-Parcells

She emphasizes not to make any changes to your medications without speaking to your providers first.

Pharmacy chains, like CVS and Walgreens, both confirm they are seeing intermittent supply issues with the generic form of the drug.

To manage medication shortages, patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to find alternative medicines or switch to different brands of needed medication.

Pharmacists can collaborate with providers to find available strengths of a medication, and providers can change dosage or forms to replace typical medication.

However, patients should not change medications without consulting their providers, as this can lead to adverse effects.

The FDA has limited the ingredients of amphetamine, which can exacerbate the shortage of Adderall and other ADHD medications.

Title:

Content: PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Concern is mounting after shortages of Adderall, a prescription medication used by both children and adults with ADHD, have gotten increasingly sparse since the quantities dropped several months ago.

The FDA says the shortage will resolve – but not until sometime in April.

Demand has skyrocketed, and while there are several alternative prescription medications, many of them are also in short supply.

Drug manufacturers say they can’t just make more of the medication because the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration limit the active ingredients, amphetamines, which can be abused and cause addiction. Even patients are limited in how much they can get at a time.

OHSU Psychiatrist Dr. James Hancey, who prescribes the medication, said finding the medicine is challenging because patients have to contact their doctor’s office to receive a prescription.

“It’s not one you can just walk around with to shop around for who might have the medication,” Hancey said.

There are some over-the-counter medications that some doctors are recommending as a way to get by, but Dr. Hansey said they are often not strong enough.

The shortage has been especially tough on kids who are prescribed ADHD medication to help them concentrate in school. Parents want to help their children, but are really frustrated.

There’s also concern that teenagers and adults could instead seek what could be deadly counterfeit drugs.

Manufacturing problems, quality issues, and production delays are the primary causes of medication shortages, which can be exacerbated by a fragmented supply chain.

The lack of transparency and communication between pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies can hinder the response to medication shortages.

Parents and caregivers should consult primary care physicians and pharmacists to find alternative solutions and manage medication shortages.

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Poison Control warns against dangerous trend as parents face shortages of children’s medicine

WFTV Channel 9 Orlando
 3 days ago

VIDEO: Poison Control warns against dangerous trend as parents face shortages of children’s medicine Parents are finding it harder to get over-the-counter medicine for young children, and experts say some are turning to potentially dangerous alternatives. (Logan MacDonald, Action News Jax/WFTV)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Parents are finding it harder to get over-the-counter medicine for young children with reports of shortages amid a recent rise in RSV, the flu, and other viruses across the country.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

According to Poison Control, some parents are turning to a potentially dangerous alternative that they should avoid.

“Because so many people are getting ill, this stuff is actually being bought up, which is causing a bit of a slow down on restocking the shelves,” Doctor Jay Schauben of the Florida Poison Control Centers explained.

Poison Control officials say parents have turned to alternatives, such as cutting down adult medication tablets into smaller doses for children. They warn it’s important to avoid doing so.

“Cutting tablets in half is not going to give you the required dosage that you need for the age and weight of the child,” Schauben said.

It’s not just the dosage, Schauben says, but also the concentration and formulas that vary between children’s and adult’s medication.

Poison Control warns that cutting adult medication tablets and giving them to children can have dire consequences.

“Obviously, overdosing with some of these products, let’s say acetaminophen, in a Tylenol case, can be disastrous as far as liver function is concerned,” Schauben explained.

For parents who are having problems finding medicines for their children, state Poison Control officials suggest talking to their primary care physician, their pharmacists, or calling the Poison Control Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 for alternatives.

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The Poison Control Helpline can also provide assistance and guidance on managing medication shortages and avoiding dangerous alternatives.

Hospital pharmacists report critical shortages of chemotherapy drugs, steroids, hormonal drugs, and oral liquids, which can have severe consequences for patients.

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

The FDA allows the import of chemotherapy drugs from overseas manufacturers to address the shortage, but more needs to be done to prevent and manage medication shortages.

The White House has proposed $3.26-5.11 billion to address shortages, and the FDA needs more power to access drug shortage information to mitigate the issue.

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. ”

Overall, medication shortages can have severe consequences for patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, and it is essential to address the root causes and develop strategies to prevent and manage shortages.

To develop a personalized plan for managing medication shortages and ensuring continuity of care, it is essential to work closely with your parent's healthcare provider.

Title:

Content: Categories
Life Style

Government should stop interfering in the doctor-patient relationship

Unfortunately, Washington has seized more medical power from patients and providers than ever, thanks to the so-called Inflation Reduction Act. If the prescription drug price controls in this law had been enacted in the past decade, many of the currently approved therapies might never have made it to market. As someone who has been involved in medical care, I am deeply concerned about the real-world impact that this law will have on patients, especially those waiting for a cure or enhanced treatment.

The Lower Costs More Cures Act of 2021 includes 36 bipartisan provisions that would lower out-of-pocket spending on prescription medications and empower patients’ access to the very best medical therapeutics, diagnostics and technologies, without harming new innovations. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) has kept that bill from coming to the floor for a vote, preferring her own agenda. We all want lower drug costs, and we can accomplish that. Innovations save lives and long-term medical costs.

As co-chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus, I’m always looking for ways to put patients at the center of policy discussions. The full House just passed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2022. This legislation will help ensure that seniors receive the care they need, when they need it. By making needed adjustments and modernizing Medicare Advantage’s “prior authorization” system, physicians can begin to get back to what they do best: caring for and treating their patients without delay.

Physicians recommend a care plan to their patients after thorough examination, testing and a review of their personal medical history. Despite this, in our current system, many insurers demand that patients adhere to “step therapy” protocols, often referred to as “fail first,” resulting in time-consuming and unnecessary delays in care. Instead of receiving what was originally prescribed by the physician who knows the situation best, patients are first forced to try alternative treatments. This can be very dangerous. Fellow physician Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-California) and I have introduced the bipartisan Safe Step Act, which would provide guardrails by requiring insurance companies to have a clear and rapid process to allow coverage for the medication or treatment that is best for the patient.

Other healthcare-related proposals have broad bipartisan support, which I hope Congress will focus on over the next several months, including taking decisive action to secure our medical supply chain.

In most circles, talking about “healthcare” focuses on insurance plans, not actual health. Aside from suicides and overdoses, the U.S. does well as far as extending your “lifespan.” We all win when we also focus on “healthspan”—keeping people as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Extending your healthspan requires being proactive as well as reactive. It’s important to incentivize prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. Being well saves lives and dollars.

Enhancing and empowering the physician-patient relationship is better for our health, as individuals and as a nation. It can be done.

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Physicians can help identify alternative medicines during shortages, and healthcare professionals can provide suitable therapeutic alternatives.

Title:

Content: Ireland has been suffering a paracetamol shortage as cases of Covid-19 and the winter flu in the country soared over the festive and new year period.

The revelation was made by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly after his department received notification of a supply issue from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

It is understood the shortage impacted some prescription paracetamol products.

Read More:Irish people complain of ‘worst ever’ winter bug sweeping country that feels like Covid but isn’t

Two suppliers affected have stated that resupply will be sometime in January 2023.

However, there are other prescription paracetamol suppliers with some stock available on the shelves.

Paracetamol is one of the medicines used most often in Ireland and especially for the flu, aches and pain.

But Mr Donnelly pointed out that there are multiple forms of the drug with different strengths and brands available from various sources.

He said: "In the event that there are some supply issues for individual medicines, alternative options such as alternative strengths and brands, generic medicines will usually be available to ensure continuity of treatment.

"In some cases where the medicine initially prescribed for the patient is unavailable, patients may be switched to a suitable therapeutic alternative following appropriate consultation with a healthcare professional."

The Health Minister said medicine shortages have been increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade. The causes of such shortages are multifactorial including shortage of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties and industry consolidations.

He stated: "Medicine shortages can originate at any point in the supply chain. They can involve and impact many stakeholders in different ways as the supply models and clinical use of therapies can vary across national health systems.

"Management of medicines shortages necessitates a multi-faceted, multi stakeholder response to ensure patient safety , continuity of care and protection of public health.

"Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medical shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare [professionals] involved in their care."

Mr Donnelly was responding to a number of written Dail questions on the shortage of medicines.

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A dedicated person can help with drug purchase and contact the FDA for information, and alternative drugs can be used at the same or lower price as the original prescription.

Title:

Content: The lack of medicine continues to burn!
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has proposed a short, medium and long-term strategy to deal with the current 5 coping mechanisms.
Journalist Yen Zhenzhen / Taipei Report
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the shortage of drugs is not a single factor, but includes supply problems, manufacturing problems, clinical demand factors, uneven distribution of drugs, drug use habits and drug prices. In addition to dealing with the relatively high clinical demand items, it is properly allocated to all levels of medical institutions and pharmacies to fully meet the needs of clinical end-use drugs.
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In the face of the shortage of drugs, Wang said, the existing health insurance uses five major coping mechanisms, including 1, a single processing window, a dedicated person to help deal with the problem of drug purchase, and contact the Food and Drug Administration to put relevant information on the website of the NHI. (4) Drug price adjustment mechanism that does not meet the cost can be re-checked according to the way of raising the price of special drugs; (5) Alternative drugs can still declare the cost, if they are not irreplaceable, they can be replaced at the same price or lower than the original prescription drug price.
In addition, Wang pointed out that in the face of the international epidemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and labor shortage, drug shortage is a problem facing all countries. In order to strengthen the stable supply mechanism of drugs in China, the Ministry of Health and Welfare continues to actively respond to the short-term strategy to solve the problem of drug shortage. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the pharmaceutical industry have made every effort to actively arrange production lines, strive for early import, increase production / import quantity, and properly distribute to all levels of medical institutions and pharmacies to fully meet the demand for clinical end use drugs.
In addition, to properly handle the issue of drug price adjustment, the Central Health Insurance Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare intends to implement the "Universal Health Insurance Cost Distribution Target System (DET)" in April this year, which will adjust the number of drug prices and adjust the quota in a suitable manner, taking into account factors such as the epidemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war and inflation.
In terms of medium-term strategy, Wang said that he will establish a permanent drug shortage treatment center and optimize drug supply information transmission.
In order to speed up the handling of drug shortage incidents, we will adopt dedicated personnel and cross-departmental cooperation to develop drug shortage prevention policies to prevent drug shortage in advance, strengthen cross-departmental data integration and proactive monitoring to detect drug shortage incidents at an early stage, and intervene early through cross-departmental cooperation to stabilize drug supply.
At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to disseminate drug supply and alternative drug information through various channels. In addition to posting on the “Drug Supply Information Platform ”, the FDA will notify medical institutions and pharmacies through VPN, and weekly letters to relevant medical associations and public associations to inform members. Management system.
In the long-term strategy section, it includes reviewing the current health insurance drug pricing policy and encouraging the production of domestically manufactured generic drugs.
Wang Bi-sheng pointed out that in the review of the current health insurance drug price policy, including the development of the price protection of indicative drugs, drug price review for the lack of drugs; start the review of drug expenditure target (DET), plan the establishment of a risk control mechanism, plan the national unified procurement trial plan; comprehensively review the health insurance drug price policy, give an appropriate price protection mechanism for necessary drugs, and also target the patent period. To encourage the production of domestic manufacturers to ensure that when there is a shortage of original pharmaceutical products, there are domestic famous drugs to respond.
Wang also stressed that the Food and Drug Administration has set up a "Drug Supply Information Platform" (https: / / dsms.fda.gov.tw /), reporting hotline (02) 27878249. If medical institutions and pharmacies have any shortage of drugs, they can go to the platform for enquiry or notification, and the department will deal with it immediately.
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Regular review of medications can ensure effectiveness and adaptability, and pharmacists can help monitor and support drug use.

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.
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Elderly patients often take multiple medications with different uses and dosages, and taking over 5 drugs simultaneously increases the risk of adverse reactions.

Simplifying medication regimens can reduce adverse reactions, and combining medication with a healthy lifestyle can reduce dosage needs.

Geriatricians can coordinate prescriptions and adjust medications, and having a list of medications can help doctors review and adjust prescriptions.

Standardized prescription procedures can reduce over-use of medications, and patients can switch to alternative medicines during shortages.

Healthcare professionals can provide information on temporary alternative products, and generic medicines can ensure continuity of treatment.

Clinical pharmacists can manage pharmacotherapy in collaboration with healthcare providers, coordinate with medical teams to adopt best treatments, and follow up with patients on medication interactions.

Title:

Content: Our doctor.
More specialization, precision and care
Prepared by: Pascal Mouawad Boumaron
Success, progress and excellence are the hallmarks of our military medical pioneer in the field of health care as certified by all.
Today, it is adding to its advanced service record the creation of a clinical pharmacist position in the medical staff of the Central Military Hospital.
The long-term vision of military medicine is to shift to more specialization within all its departments, targeting precision in treatment plans and better patient care and safety outcomes, thereby promoting quality-based medicine.
Who is the Clinical Pharmacist?
What is the added value of being in the hospital?
And how does it work with the rest of the medical staff?
Dr. Rasha Al-Haj Shehadeh, a clinical pharmacist at the Central Military Hospital, answers these and other questions and explains the importance of the role of the clinical pharmacist in providing high quality health care services and in ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines for patients, including the use of appropriate alternatives when the essential medicine is not available.
Management of Pharmacotherapy
A clinical pharmacist is a pharmacist who holds a master ’ s degree in clinical pharmacy or a doctorate in pharmacy (pharm D) and undergoes additional specialized training in hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities to ensure that a patient-focused pharmacotherapy is managed in collaboration with healthcare providers.
His work focuses on two areas: on the one hand, he coordinates with the medical team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and physiotherapists in order to adopt the best treatment, and on the other hand, he follows up with patients on the development of their medical condition and how they interact with prescribed medications.
The role of clinical pharmacists within the hospital is integrated with the roles of the rest of the medical staff. One of the results is to reduce the cost of drug treatment during the patient ’ s stay in the hospital, choose the optimal treatment at the most appropriate time, and participate in quality improvement plans to ensure safe and effective drug treatment.
In addition to the above, it helps coordinate clinical research and case reports and is a source of information on drugs and trials as well, leading to improved and improved health care.
This is how we work together
The clinical pharmacist is the link between healthcare professionals and is keen to deal with patients from multiple backgrounds to provide a positive environment and achieve the best results.
Dr. Alhaj Shehadeh stresses the importance of coordination between the doctor and the clinical pharmacist in terms of enhancing the confidence of patients and their sense of security about the medical services they receive.
She explains that while the doctor develops a treatment plan, the clinical pharmacist elaborates it and ensures the safety of its application.
They coordinate by assessing and determining the patient ’ s state of health, consulting to find the most appropriate medication in accordance with the treatment plan, and monitoring the patient ’ s response.
This complementary relationship enhances patient care and quality assurance.
Collaboration with the nurse in charge is the development of policies and procedures to ensure that the quality and effectiveness of drug treatment is improved, while minimizing the side effects of mismanagement or drug interactions in general.
In this context, care is taken to examine the appropriate dosage and composition of the prescribed drugs, by calculating, measuring and mixing the quantities of drugs and other components required.
As for cooperation with the hospital pharmacist, Dr. Al-Haj Shehadeh explained that this cooperation includes ensuring that all precautionary medicines are properly stored in all hospital units, rationalizing their dispensing and management in accordance with international standards, and helping to monitor and check them periodically, especially those under control, such as tranquilizers, drugs and some antibiotics.
In addition, the clinical pharmacist advises patients on their medical condition, discusses their medications and their side effects, establishing a relationship of trust through continuity of care, ensuring confidentiality and privacy, and guiding them to comply with treatment after discharge, whether in terms of medication list and schedule, or the lifestyle best suited to their recovery or living with their condition.
SKILLS
The clinical pharmacist is interested in many basic tasks at once, says Dr. Alhaj Shehadeh, the most important of which is organization and scheduling, and his analytical skills are the basis for developing a treatment plan, after linking all the information from the patient ’ s history and current medical condition and analyzing it, to consider alternatives, especially since the medical situation in Lebanon is difficult.
Therefore, the clinical pharmacist should also be meticulous and attentive to every detail, whether in the patient ’ s laboratory results or in his / her medications, their quantity, and ensure that they are described in an optimal manner.
On a personal level, he must be courteous, courteous and courteous with the medical team and patients to strengthen his previously mentioned effective role and win the trust of all.
The integration of the clinical pharmacist within the military hospital is an important step towards improving the well-being of patients in the hospital, as well as towards reducing the risks related to drug errors.
This is compelling evidence of the commendable work of the military leadership to respond to and apply international standards even in the most difficult situations and circumstances.
Clinical Pharmacy and Lebanese Legislation
The Syndicate of Pharmacists in Lebanon has proposed a law on clinical pharmacy that stipulates that it is mandatory to adopt it in all Lebanese hospitals and that the number of clinical pharmacists in the hospital should be according to the number of beds in it, and the law is currently under discussion in parliamentary committees.

Clinical pharmacists can also reduce drug treatment costs and improve quality, participate in quality improvement plans for safe drug treatment, and ensure safe application of treatment plans developed by doctors.

To address medication shortages, patients can consult with pharmacists about temporary alternative products, and alternative strengths and brands of medicines can be used.

Valhalla Vitality addresses medication shortages with pharmacy partnerships and provides personalized wellness care through patient feedback.

Title:

Content: Valhalla Vitality: Leading A Revolution In Integrative Wellness

In a world of significant medical advancements, a glaring incongruity persists — state-of-the-art wellness therapies often remain inaccessible and unaffordable for the majority. Despite being a fundamental right, the path to wellness is clouded by complex challenges like medication shortages, high costs, and accessibility issues. Bridging this yawning gap between the necessity of health and its accessibility is the mission of Valhalla Vitality, an integrative wellness provider network initiating a revolution that is creating profound reverberations in the healthcare landscape.

Born out of a vision to make comprehensive wellness a reality for the average American, Valhalla Vitality has dared to challenge, reshape and redefine the conventional norms. It valiantly addresses the industry-wide issue of medication shortages and delays — a pervasive problem that has often left patients stranded without crucial treatment options.

Rather than bowing down to these systemic complications, Valhalla’s approach has been resilient, inventive, and empathetic. It forged dynamic partnerships with an extensive network of pharmacies, ensuring that no shortage or delay would ever compromise a patient’s access to their vital medications. This effort transcends the simple act of filling prescriptions; it reflects a profound commitment to care, refusing to be fettered by systemic hurdles and creating a lifeline for those who need it most.

The ethos of Valhalla Vitality, however, extends beyond merely solving the immediate, observable problems. It encompasses an unwavering determination to always listen, learn, and evolve. By transforming their patients’ feedback into a catalyst for continuous improvement, they revolutionized their services. This feedback loop ensures their strategies and initiatives are tailor-made to suit the unique needs of the community they serve, creating a personalized approach to wellness care.

Valhalla’s ambitions don’t stop there. To further extend its reach, it plans to partner with smaller clinics, aiming to bring in-person treatments within closer proximity to its clients. These collaborations signify another significant stride in their relentless quest to make health and wellness treatments not just available but conveniently accessible, even to those in the remotest corners of the country.

The essence of Valhalla Vitality lies in its holistic, patient-centric approach. As a high-touch concierge wellness provider, it assures patients are meticulously guided at every step from the initial registration and comprehensive medical intake to having their medication conveniently delivered directly to their doorstep. Through the seamless integration of stellar customer service and advanced medical treatments, Valhalla ushers in a unique blend of wellness and care.

Through its mission, Valhalla Vitality paints a picture of a healthcare future where each individual’s well-being is not an exorbitant luxury but an attainable reality. By consistently tackling industry challenges and prioritizing patient experience, Valhalla has established itself as a leader in the wellness industry and an innovator working tirelessly to transform how wellness is perceived, accessed, and experienced.

The rise of Valhalla Vitality offers a compelling narrative of resilience, innovation, and above all, an unwavering commitment to public health. As they redefine accessibility in wellness, Valhalla Vitality stands not just as a provider network but as a symbol of hope — a promise that the path to wellness, however long and winding, is a journey they are committed to making accessible, affordable, and achievable for all.

Written in partnership with Ascend

Discussing caregiving with parents to plan for future care, making a list of open-ended questions to start the conversation, and talking about resources to pay for care, such as insurance, can also help.

Title:

Content: There are some things no one wants to think about until they have to, like caregiving for your parents as they age and figuring out what happens to your finances when you die. But planning for these events now can spare you and your loved ones a lot of hassle later on.

The first step is to simply talk about the inevitable.

"Think about the people you care about. Would your life be better if you never brought this subject up? Or would everyone's lives improve if you did?" says Lauryn Williams, a certified financial planner and owner of Worth Winning, a Dallas-based financial planning firm.

"Getting the conversation going is a gamechanger for being able to tackle these topics," she says.

OK, your death and your parents getting older don't make for light dinner-table conversation. But there are ways to ease into each of these uncomfortable topics.

HOW TO HAVE THE CAREGIVING CONVERSATION

Millennials are currently the "sandwich generation," says Frank Paré, a CFP and president and managing partner at PF Wealth Management Group in Oakland, California. That means they're responsible for bringing up their kids while also thinking about how to care for aging parents.

The pandemic might have forced you to have frank discussions with your parents about their health care situation. You can use that momentum to approach conversations about the type of care they would prefer later in life, whether it's moving in with you, going to assisted living or having in-home care.

Williams suggests making a list of open-ended questions to get the ball rolling, such as "What would you want to happen if you suddenly got ill?" or "How do you see me being a part of your retirement?"

Talk about what resources your parents plan to use to pay for care, Paré says. Do they have a life insurance policy? Are they on Social Security? Do they have a pension? Will they need to look into long-term care insurance? This type of insurance covers chronic conditions, disabilities or disorders. If your parents don't have it or can't afford to buy it, you can purchase it for them, he says.

Having the conversation allows you to prepare now if you need to start setting money aside for caregiving.

ESTATE PLANNING IS FOR EVERYONE

Contrary to what you might think, estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It's also not limited to married couples or those with children.

Handing down your assets and handing over your financial responsibilities often involves making a will, creating an advance health care directive for if you're incapacitated and even having a separate digital will for your online life that includes login credentials and instructions on what to do with your social media accounts or assets like cryptocurrency.

A simple first step you can take now is to log into all your financial accounts and designate a beneficiary for each one. Then you can turn to the bigger questions.

"The work starts with you sitting down and asking — what would you want to see happen if you were no longer around?" Paré says.

Yes, it can be overwhelming to think about something bad happening to you. But creating a detailed estate plan spares your loved ones from having to sort out your financial affairs while also grieving your loss. It can also minimize the potential likelihood of probate, which is the long legal process for distributing your property after you die.

You can use an estate plan to make your wishes and priorities clear, such as appointing a guardian for your children, deciding what happens to your beloved pet, or donating your money to a cause you care deeply about. (Asking your parents for their advice can also trigger a conversation about their estate plan and caregiving needs.)

Williams suggests asking yourself these questions to make the process feel less abstract:

● What would happen if I were in the hospital for a while?

● What if I were incapacitated and had to undergo surgery: Who would I want to make the decision for me?

● Who would pay the bills or walk the dog while I could not?

If you start writing down your answers, you've already taken the first step toward making an estate plan. You'll need to hire a lawyer when you're ready to officially move forward.

__________________________________

This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance site NerdWallet. Amrita Jayakumar is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: ajayakumar@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @ajbombay.

RELATED LINK:

NerdWallet: Estate planning checklist https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-estate-plan

Considering long-term care insurance for chronic conditions, preparing financially for caregiving by setting money aside, and estate planning can also be beneficial.

Designating a beneficiary for each financial account, creating an advance health care directive for incapacitation, and making a will to hand down assets and responsibilities can also help.

Hiring a lawyer is necessary to officially create an estate plan, and having a plan in place can help ensure continuity of care during medication shortages.