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Drug shortages

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Medication safety is a fundamental responsibility of all pharmacists who work in institutional practice,and it is part of their core mission. Commonly recommendation solutions like the use of technologies such as bar code monitoring, Let’s start with Part 2, drug shortages in hospitals. According to the definition of Food and Drug Administration in US, And American Society of Health-system pharmacists (ASHP) defines drug shortages as a supply issue that affects how the pharmacy prepares or dispenses a drug product As we should know, Drug shortages can adversely affect drug therapy, compromise or delay medical procedures, and result in medication errors. Pharmacists in charge should be notified and communicate medication shortage and recommend alternative therapies effectively to prescribers.
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As you can see, medication use process is a loop. A management strategy that includes clear policies and procedures for information gathering, decision-making, collaboration reporting a drug shortage online to gather the cooperation of health institutes, pharmaceutical industries and pharmacists’ society. This is Taiwan’s national reporting system for drug shortages. From the statistical results of the National reporting system, we can learn the trend of reported drug shortage in Taiwan. By analyzing the data in 2017, we can find the major reasons that caused drug shortage are manufacturing issue, discontinuation of manufacturing, and termination of permit license. After reviewing, most reported drug shortage cases can be solved by using alternatives. Only 27% of reported drug shortage may influence clinical therapy.
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Let’s take a glance at the management of drug shortage in Taiwan After the center of drug shortages receive the event, a person in charge will validate several information, including the real status of the drug supply. And some question will also be confirmed. If the drug shortage is definite, they will evaluate if there is other available alternative. According to the ingredients, dosage form, strength, indication, quality, and status of supply, After finishing review, Drug shortage center will inform the result to the authorized concerned, TFDA and keep monitoring related information. Now, I will picked up several cases in Taiwan
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and classify them into 3 categories: Shortage may related to pricing issue, including colimycin, Methotrexate Or related to manufacturing issues including Penicillin G sodium Hydroxyurea, Herceptin, Tuberculin PPD And shortage related to quality issue, PICs related are diagnostic hormone or eye ointment. In hospital, we should also keep monitoring the information of drug shortage by Inventory staff, clinical pharmacist and P&T Committee staff. Here is the screen about drug shortage at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. In summary, Drug shortages have been increasing in frequency and severity worldwide.

Drug shortages can delay medical procedures and affect drug therapies. Ms Chen will explain the various causes of drug shortages and how to prevent them.

Key points

Drug shortage is a supply issue that affects how the pharmacy prepares or dispenses a drug product. It can adversely affect drug therapy, compromise medical procedures, and even result in medication errors. Pharmacists should keep track of medication shortages and recommend alternative therapies to prescribers.

Management strategy needs to include clear policies and procedures for information gathering, decision-making, and collaboration.

In Taiwan:

There is a national reporting system for drug shortages. By analyzing this system, hospitals can learn the trend of reported drug shortages, and develop counteractive plans.

After the center of drug shortages receive the event, a person in charge will first validate the case, before evaluating if there are other alternatives. Hospitals should also monitor the information of drug shortages closely.

Share and learn:

How does your hospital tackle the issue of drug shortages?

Is there a similar system to the national reporting system for drug shortages in your country?

Does your hospital use this system?

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Good Pharmacy Practice: Medication Management

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