Q: Has the propofol shortage affected the hospitals and surgery centers where you practice or the way you practice?
Dr. Alan Berk: It has affected all anesthesiologists. We are constantly reminded of the shortage, and we all are doing our best to conserve it. We have had to use European formulations, which are different from what was available before and have the potential for allergic reactions in peanut sensitive individuals. It has not personally happened to me, but I have talked to anesthesiologists who have come to work and found no propofol and have had to use other medicines instead. Also, use of propofol as a sedative in the ICU has pretty much disappeared.
Q: What are the hospitals and surgery centers where you practice doing to address this shortage?
Dr. Berk: The main things that we have done are conservation, use of European propofol and reduced or no use in the ICU. There is a lot of excitement about a new medication — Lusedra, which has been approved by the FDA for use in MAC sedation cases instead of propofol. The propofol shortage is very severe and with the recent exit of TEVA from the propofol market it is likely to get worse.
Contact Lindsey Dunn at lindsey@beckersasc.com .
