Medicine Shortages Could Prove Costly in US Hospitals

More and more hospitals across the United States are experiencing shortages of medicines and health experts have warned that unless the shortages are taken care of quickly, there is a danger that delayed treatment could result in loss of life.

The problem has been growing steadily over the last five years with the number of drug shortages increasing by three times during 2006 to 2010 during which 211 drugs were reported to be in short supply.

The first quarter of this year has already seen 89 drug shortages reported by the University of Utah's Drug Information Service while the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reported shortages of a number of important drugs such as Ciprofloxacin Immediate-Release tablets, Magnesium sulfate injection and Paclitaxel injection.

Commenting on the shortage of drugs, the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Clinical Manager, pharmacist Carol Miller said, "As a pharmacist working for 20-some years, I've seen shortages, but nothing with the numbers of drugs out there that are short at this time."

Source: Medindia