Severe Drug Shortages More Limited Than Previously Thought

A new report issued by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics showed that while 168 drugs are currently in short supply, most of the shortages center around four key areas, according to a Medscape report.

As of Oct. 7, 2011, there are 168 drugs officially reported in shortage. Analysts at the IMS Institute took that list and combined it with proprietary supply-chain sales data to determine that the problem is concentrated in specific areas to a greater degree than overall figures suggest. Of the reported "scarce" drugs, manufacturers reported stable supplies of 56 drugs and increasing availability of 31 drugs.

According to the report, more than 80 percent of the shortage pertains to generic sterile injectables. Half of the generic injectable drugs sold in the United States are on the shortages list, the report said.

Oncology drugs are currently experiencing the greatest shortage, with 22 drugs accounting for 16 percent of the total list and potentially impeding the care of 550,000 cancer patients.

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