Supply Chain

All blood specimen collection tubes were added to the FDA's device shortage list on Jan. 19 amid an increase in demand and recent supply issues.

Ten health systems have posted job listings for supply chain expertise in the last week:

The federal government on Jan. 18 launched its website for Americans to request free rapid COVID-19 test kits be shipped to their homes. 

Experts say many industries could face further supply chain disruptions if China imposes widespread lockdown measures to curb the spread of the omicron variant, The New York Times reported Jan. 16. 

The Biden administration's plan to distribute 1 billion rapid COVID-19 tests is putting pressure on manufacturers and distributors to bolster tight nationwide supplies, The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 16. 

Ten health systems have posted job listings for supply chain expertise in the last week:

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services said blood shortages forced the trauma center at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to close for several hours on Jan. 10, The Los Angeles Times reported. 

The aisles for over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are nearly bare across Dallas Walmart, Target, CVS and Sam's Club locations, The Dallas Morning News reported Jan. 10. 

Between the struggles of COVID-19 and the constant supply challenges, the past two years have been exhausting for healthcare workers.

The FDA has extended the shelf life of nearly 1 million rapid COVID-19 test kits that first expired in a Florida warehouse in September, the Miami Herald reported Jan. 11.