Tag

Drug Shortage

All articles tagged with #drug shortage

health16 days ago•6 min saved

Surge in Estrogen Patch Demand Tests U.S. Supply

Although the FDA says there’s no official shortage of estrogen patches, demand for transdermal estrogen has surged after last year’s removal of the black-box warning, leaving some pharmacies with limited doses and reports of shortages for certain brands in parts of the U.S. While manufacturers are ramping up production and some providers see no impact, others report ongoing access issues. Alternatives such as oral estrogen, vaginal rings, or gels can help patients stay on therapy, and patches remain popular due to cost and insurance coverage. Experts expect supply to improve by year-end, though timing remains uncertain.

via NBC News|

#drug-shortage #estrogen-patches #fda

health1 month ago•23 min saved

Japan grapples with ADHD drug shortage as demand surges

Concerta, an ADHD medication from Janssen, has been in nationwide short supply in Japan since last fall, with clinics unable to prescribe it to new patients and restricting long‑time patients to about two weeks’ worth. Janssen previously said stock would be resolved in about two months, but shortages persist and full restoration is expected to take many more months. Concerta is one of only three ADHD drugs approved for adults in Japan, a concern as the adult ADHD population grows.

via The Japan Times|

#adhd #concerta #drug-shortage

health3 months ago•4 min saved

Menopause patients scramble as estrogen patch shortages persist

A nationwide shortage of estrogen patches—driven by manufacturing backorders, brand discontinuations, and increased demand after an FDA label change—has women scrambling to find stock, facing higher costs, and switching brands or delivery methods, while doctors urge patients not to ration and to consider alternative estrogen options when needed.

via USA Today|

#drug-shortage #estrogen-patch #health

health11 months ago•1 min saved

UK Faces Critical Shortage of Pancreas Medication, Patients Struggling to Eat

Pharmacists in the Channel Islands are experiencing an ongoing shortage of Creon, a digestion aid used by cancer and pancreatic disease patients, with supply issues persisting since summer 2024. Measures like shorter prescriptions and alternative treatments are being implemented to manage the situation, which is expected to continue for several months, prioritizing patient safety.

via BBC|

#cancer-patients #channel-islands #creon

health1 year ago•3 min saved

"COVID-19 Surge in Israel Triggers Drug Shortages"

Israel is experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 cases, leading to a critical shortage of the antiviral drug Remdesivir, which is essential for treating severe cases. Hospitals report an increase in hospitalizations and criticize the Health Ministry's procurement policies. The ministry has announced that new supplies of the drug are expected to arrive soon.

via Ynetnews|

#covid-19 #drug-shortage #health

health2 years ago•2 min saved

New Tracker Launched to Help Patients Find Weight-Loss Drugs Amid Shortages

Telehealth provider Ro has launched a new GLP-1 Supply Tracker to help patients find in-demand weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy amid nationwide shortages. The tool allows users to report drug availability and shortages, receive email alerts, and access updated information from the FDA. Initially developed for Ro's patients, the tracker is now available to the public to address the growing demand and supply challenges of GLP-1 medications.

via Fox Business|

#drug-shortage #glp-1-drugs #health

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"Ro Introduces GLP-1 Supply Tracker Amid Shortages"

Telehealth company Ro has launched a GLP-1 supply tracker to help patients find weight loss and diabetes drugs amid U.S. shortages. The interactive tool provides real-time supply information by drug, dose size, and pharmacy location, aiming to make GLP-1 availability more transparent and accessible. The tracker is free for anyone to use and allows users to submit updates on drug availability, with the option to report to the FDA. Ro hopes the tool will alleviate the challenges patients face due to the high demand and limited supply of these medications.

via CNBC|

#diabetes #drug-shortage #glp-1

health2 years ago•6 min saved

"Early Discontinuation of Weight-Loss Drugs Poses Challenges"

New obesity drugs like Zepbound are effective for weight loss but face supply shortages, causing users to struggle with maintaining their weight without the medication. Many, like Jonathan Meyers, experience anxiety and difficulty in managing weight when transitioning off these drugs, highlighting the chronic nature of obesity and the need for ongoing treatment.

via NPR|

#drug-shortage #glp-1-agonists #health

health-pharmaceuticals2 years ago•2 min saved

"Diabetes and Weight-Loss Drug Shortages: Limited Supply Challenges Pharmacies"

Most doses of Eli Lilly's weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro will be in short supply through the second quarter of 2024 due to surging demand, according to the FDA. The shortage affects all doses except the 2.5-milligram versions. The company is working to increase production capacity and expects significant increases in the second half of the year, with new facilities planned for the future. The shortage reflects the high demand for these drugs, which are known as incretin drugs and are used for weight loss and diabetes management.

via CNBC|

#drug-shortage #eli-lilly #health-pharmaceuticals

health2 years ago•7 min saved

"Growth Hormone Shortage Exacerbated by Prior Authorizations"

A persistent shortage of growth hormone, particularly the Norditropin brand, has caused significant distress for patients with conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome, leading to behavioral issues, weight gain, and other complications. Insurance companies' prior authorization requirements have exacerbated the problem, forcing patients and clinicians to navigate cumbersome processes and delays, with some families resorting to purchasing expensive medication from Mexico. While efforts are being made to ramp up supply and simplify dispensing processes, the shortage and its impact continue to pose challenges for affected individuals and their families.

via NPR|

#drug-shortage #growth-hormone #health

healthcare-retail2 years ago•2 min saved

"Costco Introduces Weight Loss Program with GLP-1 Drugs for Members"

Costco is now offering its members prescriptions for weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy through its health care partner Sesame, with a three-month subscription costing $179 for members and $195 for non-members. However, the high demand for these medications has led to shortages, with pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk struggling to meet the overwhelming demand. Novo Nordisk has even acquired facilities in an $11 billion deal to address the shortage, but the gap between demand and supply is significant enough to take years to close.

via Quartz|

#costco #drug-shortage #healthcare-retail

health2 years ago•6 min saved

"Persistent National Shortage of ADHD Medication Continues"

The national shortage of ADHD medications, including Adderall, Focalin, Ritalin, and Vyvanse, continues with no apparent end in sight, affecting millions of adults and children in the United States. The crisis, now well into its second year, is attributed to rising demand, manufacturing issues, insurance restrictions, and supply chain challenges. Patients and clinicians are struggling to find available medications, leading to workarounds and potential negative impacts on patients' lives. Efforts by industry and government agencies are underway to address the shortage, but the situation remains dire, with patients facing significant challenges in accessing essential treatments.

via Medscape|

#adhd #drug-shortage #fda

health2 years ago•14 min saved

"Rising Syphilis Cases: A Preventable Threat to Babies and Pregnant Women"

The U.S. is facing a critical shortage of syphilis treatment, leading to devastating consequences for pregnant women and their babies. Pfizer, the sole U.S. manufacturer of the necessary injections, has notified the FDA of an impending year-long stock out, blaming increased syphilis infection rates and competitive shortages. The federal government has been criticized for downplaying the crisis and failing to prevent drug shortages, with experts urging measures such as pressuring Pfizer for transparency and production, manufacturing the drug itself, reserving treatments for infected patients, and creating a national stockpile. The shortage is driving up infection rates, particularly among disadvantaged populations, and has led to a surge in congenital syphilis cases, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this public health emergency.

via ProPublica|

#cdc #drug-shortage #health

health2 years ago•5 min saved

"Ozempic Shortage Leaves New Patients Struggling for Weight Loss Solutions"

Veterans are reporting improved health after taking weight loss drugs like Wegovy, derived from the diabetes drug Ozempic, but new patients are facing a shortage of the medication. The Department of Veterans Affairs has seen a significant increase in prescriptions for semaglutide, but a global manufacturing shortage has led to a lack of supply for new patients. Some veterans have resorted to paying out-of-pocket for the drugs, while others have faced challenges in obtaining prescriptions through the VA. The shortage has also impacted state government coverage of the drug, raising concerns about the accessibility and cost of these medications for veterans.

via Military.com|

#drug-shortage #fda #health

health2 years ago•7 min saved

ADHD Medication Shortage: Causes and Consequences

The ongoing shortage of ADHD medications, including generics of Vyvanse and Adderall, is attributed to increased demand, supply chain issues, manufacturing and quality issues, and federal production limits set by the Drug Enforcement Administration. While brand-name products are available, many generic manufacturers are struggling to meet the demand, leading to shortages of amphetamine mixed salts, methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine. Patients are facing challenges in accessing their prescriptions, and the DEA believes its new production limits will be sufficient to meet the growing need for ADHD treatments in 2024.

via CBS News|

#adhd #dea #drug-shortage