Austin health officials say shortage of prescription drugs worst ever
Central Texas hospital officials, emergency responders and doctors say a nationwide shortage of 250 common prescription drugs from painkillers to antibiotics to resuscitation medicines is the worst they've ever seen.
Hospitals are borrowing from sister facilities, and the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services system is seeking pharmacies that will make the drugs by compounding, or mixing the ingredients, among other steps. All of the medical providers said they are filling in the gaps with alternative drugs that can serve the same purpose, but some of those drugs also are in danger of becoming scarce because of hoarding, said Dr. Paul Hinchey,medical director of the EMS system.
He and others said they don't know when the shortages will be alleviated because so many different factors are at play, including contamination at drug-making facilities and manufacturers ceasing production to pursue more profitable drugs.
"I've been in this business at least 23 or 24 years ... and this is the worst it has been by far," said Shewan Aziz, director of pharmacy for the Seton Healthcare Family.
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-health-officials-say-shortage-of-prescription-drugs-2213181.html
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