Proposed Legislation Regarding Drug Shortages

On September 22, 2012, the Protecting Patients and Hospitals from Price Gouging Act was introduced to the Senate.  This act is intended to “prohibit prescription drug price-gouging during states of market shortage.”  The US is facing many drug shortages and often sellers are taking advantage of the decreased supply by increasing the price to excessive amounts.  This practice leaves consumers at an unfair advantage if they cannot afford their vital medication. The Protecting Patients and Hospitals from Price Gouging Act will enforce penalties on any person with the intent to charge a price that is unreasonable excessive.  The bill was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for evaluation.

To learn more about or to keep up with this bills progress, please visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s3622

Drug Shortage Spotlight: Sodium bicarbonate injection

Sodium bicarbonate injection is often used in critical care patients during advanced cardiac life support as well as in the management of hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and urine pH.  Sodium bicarbonate injection is also frequently used in the compounding of oral solutions of PPIs.  The injection is currently in shortage.  The shortage exists because of manufacturing delays, increased demand and discontinuation of the product by a manufacturer.  The estimated release date of sodium bicarbonate injections is October and November of 2012. 

Appropriate alternatives for sodium bicarbonate injection include:         

·    Baking soda (1 teaspoon in 240ml of water) to make oral solutions of PPIs

·    Tromethamine

For more information about appropriate alternative agents including dosing and ordering, please visit ASHP drug shortages webpage.

Other Available Resources

For the most up-to-date drug shortages list, visit the FDA and ASHP websites:

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/default.htm

http://www.ashp.org/DrugShortages/Current/

For guidelines on managing drug shortages, visit http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/Policy/DrugShortages/ASHP_shortage_guide09.pdf