An increased demand for some drugs has contributed to shortages, but the COVID-19 pandemic has also exposed shortages that have been around for years, researchers told CBS News.
The drugs in shortage include several paralytics, such as cisatracurium, rocuronium, vecuronium; sedatives including propofol, ketamine and lorazepam; as well as antiviral, anti-infective and pain drugs.
University of Minnesota professor Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, told CBS News that some of the drugs on the list have been in shortage for more than 20 years, and the pandemic has brought those shortages to light.
Some of the drugs in shortage are paralytics used to put patients on ventilators, but others are common drugs such as acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol.
Read the full article here.
More articles on pharmacy:
HHS unveils plan to distribute Gilead’s COVID-19 drug
Two-thirds of hospital pharmacies have reduced staff during COVID-19 pandemic, ASHP survey finds
New CMS rule could raise out-of-pocket drug costs
