Supply Chain

Geopolitical events have had major impacts on the U.S. medical supply chain in 2023 and promise to continue doing so in 2024, according to a Jan. 23 blog post from major supplier Premier. 

The American Red Cross said the U.S. is experiencing an "emergency" blood shortage as the number of donors has hit a 20-year low.

Large drugmakers including Pfizer and Takeda Pharmaceuticals plan to raise prices of more than 500 prescription drugs this month, according to research cited by Reuters.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, practices have faced a myriad of supply challenges, from rising costs to persistent shortages. 

A number of medical suppliers have been caught in fraud and kickback schemes this year, including Medtronic and Beach medical Suppliers. 

Construction of the largest ambulatory care center in the country is currently underway on the UC Davis Health campus in Sacramento, Calif., according to a Nov. 7 report from the Sacramento Business Journal. 

House Republicans wrote a letter to the FDA seeking an explanation for ongoing supply chain issues and drug shortages, The Hill reported Nov. 3. 

Here are six medical product warnings and recalls that Becker's has reported on since Oct. 3 that ASC leader should keep an eye on: 

Olympus Corporation has issued a Class I recall for its high-flow insufflation unit UHI-4 used to facilitate laparoscopic and endoscopic observation, diagnosis and treatment. 

Seven drugs have been listed as in shortage since Oct. 9, according to data from the FDA and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.