As copay issues reportedly resolve for Americans receiving this season's updated COVID-19 vaccine, nursing homes and pediatric officers are struggling as demand exceeds supply. 

Hospira, a New York City-based Pfizer company, recalled two lots of lidocaine and one lot of sodium bicarbonate because vials could contain glass particles. 

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, a biotech drug company based in Waltham, Mass., recalled more than 61,000 injection needle kits after eight retinal vasculitis cases were reported. 

B. Braun Medical, a medical supply and pharmaceuticals company, is voluntarily recalling about 1.1 million syringes because of a possible sterility issue. 

Avera Health is teaming up with Owens & Minor, a healthcare solutions company, to build a 330,000-square-foot supply distribution and service center.

Medline's 710,000-square-foot distribution center in Salt Lake City is now fully operational, the healthcare supply company said Sept. 26. 

After a big push from the CDC encouraging everyone older than 12 to get the updated COVID-19 shot this fall, some pharmacies are having difficulties getting the vaccine, NPR reported Sept. 27.

Less than half of hospitals are using cloud technology for supply chain management, but by 2026, that figure is expected to increase to nearly 70 percent, according to a GHX survey. 

DePre, a medical supply company that DeRoyal, Premier and S2S Global formed in 2021, plans to invest $10.3 million in an isolation gown manufacturing facility in Powell, Tenn.

Terri Lyle Wilson, the vice president of pharmacy for Lenexa, Kan.-based Children's Hospital Association, has been named to the Healthcare Supply Chain Association's board.

Artificial intelligence, 3D printing and drone delivery are a few of the things supply chain leaders predict are going to change the field.

Medline is voluntarily recalling about 324,000 medical scissors used to cut sutures, bandages, gauze and excess skin around a wound.

Medline Industries is recalling 18,000 units of saline solution because they didn't meet sterility standards but were "inadvertently shipped to customers," according to an FDA database. 

Abbott has received reports of 73 injuries concerning its Abbott Proclaim and Infinity neurostimulation systems, which deliver low-intensity electrical impulses and are used for chronic pain, the FDA said Sept. 13. 

Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland-based University Hospitals have selected five, local medical and supply chain companies with diverse ownership to take part in the health systems' second annual supplier accelerator program, according to a Sept. 12 news release. 

The American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage Sept. 11, saying blood and platelet supplies have fallen to "critically low levels." 

Madison, Wis.-based Mallinckrodt Manufacturing recalled about 13,600 one-way valves made for ventilators, according to FDA data. 

It's rare for a hospital or health system to constantly win the ECRI Institute's supply excellence award — between 2022 and 2023, only four systems made both lists. Jackson Health System in Miami has won thrice since 2020. 

Hospital pharmacies struggled in the first half of 2023 with the highest number of ongoing drug shortages in 10 years, and other hospital departments faced similar headwinds. 

Minneapolis-based Allina Health partnered with Vizient's Community Contracting Program to support diverse suppliers and small businesses in its community.