Where are the life saving pharmaceuticals? Topeka Kansas asks?

Although the news is consumed with the impact of an abundance of addictive opioid drugs, available both legally and illegally, there isn't much attention being given to the shortage of simple pharmaceuticals, like saline solutions etc.  A pharmacist in Topeka Kansas calls for pro-active and coordinated efforts to mitigate this problem in a letter to the editor in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Shortages of IV solutions will prevent many critically ill people from having emergency access to life saving fluids

Obviously, there's not enough money in the production  and sales of inexpensive compounds, like saline solutions.  

Believe me, blog readers....we *never* want to return to the days when compounds were blended in the hospital.  *Never!*.  We need ~ and must have ~ high level quality control over all pharmaceuticals, especially those most needed to save lives, like saline solution that's quality tested for perfect measurements of sterile ingredients.  

FDA’s efforts to mitigate ongoing IV saline shortages were worsened by, the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. As the Food and Drug Administration continues to hear concerns about shortages in discussions with hospitals and health care providers, as well as in media reports, FDA
Scott Gottlieb, M.D wanted to provide more information on this evolving challenge.

Based on the information we’re receiving from companies and the actions we’ve taken at FDA, we continue to expect that the shortage of IV fluids will improve in the coming weeks and months. In addition to working with manufacturers to ensure that their Puerto Rico facilities can operate at full capacity, we’ve worked with manufacturers such as Baxter and B. Braun to import product into the U.S. from their foreign facilities including most recently from a Baxter facility in Brazil.

Here are links to drug shortages data banks:

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/default.htm

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm

Echo letter to the editor:

Topeka, Kansas, pharmacist opinion letter to the Capital Journal newspaper ~ Drug shortage in Topeka is a problem

The drug shortage is a serious problem.

Unfortunately, the largest producer of quality saline solutions was located in Puerto Rico, but  the devastating hurricans of 2017, has interfered with production and supply lines.

We are running out of salt and baking powder. Normal saline and intravenous fluids (such as bicarbonate or baking powder) are the main resuscitation therapy to save our patients’ lives. The busiest hospital pharmacies in Kansas receive daily emails explaining drug shortages and allocations.

Critical shortages can limit a patient’s care. 

In December 2017, 146 drugs were in short supply. Watch for shortages of pain medications like fentanyl, and expect a shortage of antibiotics. Shortages have existed for the past 10 years without effective solutions. Experts expect these shortages to continue into the future. Hospitals will struggle to find a sustainable and constant drug supply.

Every hospital’s goal is to ensure quality, care and safety of patients. Drug shortages increase risk for serious or even fatal errors. With the help of my pharmacy colleagues, we try to overcome these shortages. 

Topeka Kansas needs more than 10,000 fluid bags of IV solution monthly, at our hospital.

Searching for safe and effective alternatives requires careful attention. Medical and pharmaceutical references are essential to finding answers during times of shortages. Our hospital pharmacy does a great job serving the population in northeastern Kansas.

It is time to start thinking of steps to overcome and avoid perpetual shortages. Communication and relationship with suppliers is not a sustainable solution. Kansas hospitals should establish a group with the goal of building a non-profit organization.

Highly professional and proactive staff must create a strategy for self-sufficiency in obtaining critical life-saving drugs. This is serious and requires quick steps and cooperation to end shortages permanently. Pharmaceutical companies blame hurricanes, but I do not believe that to be true. We need to release our hands tied by pharmaceutical companies ... or hurricanes.

Submitted by Talal Nassar, clinical pharmacist specialist at Stormont Vail Health, Topeka