Shortage of injectable methocarbamol

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of injectable methocarbamol. The only US-approved version is sold under the brand name Robaxin, although there are other brand names for combinations with aspirin, acetominophen, and ibuprofen. West-Ward gives no reason for the shortage. This drug is a muscle relaxant which acts at the level of the nervous system to block pain signals sent to the brain. Methocarbamol is much less addictive than other muscle relaxants, but it does have a sedative effect and may cause dizziness. It is one of many drugs that the National Committee for Quality Assurance considers high-risk in the elderly.

Shortage of injectable meperidine

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of injectable meperidine. Hospira cites increased demand and manufacturing delays as the reasons for the shortage of their brand name product, Demerol. West-Ward produces the generic product, but no pre-loaded syringes. I was given Demerol in the mid-seventies by a dental surgeon, and my only experience with painkillers since then has been for dental procedures. I have never since been given Demerol (meperidine hydrochloride). I am curious to know of other people's experience. Has this drug been administered to you before and/or after surgery? at childbirth? for chronic pain such as fibromyalgia?

This is an opioid narcotic analgesic for moderate to severe pain and was at one time the drug of choice for addicted doctors and nurses. Is that still the case, or is that decades-old news?

Shortage of injectable doxapram

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of injectable doxapram, which stimulates breathing. The generic version of this drug is unavailable because it was one of the many manufactured by Ben Venue Labs under contract for Bedford Laboratories. Readers of my previous posts are aware by now that Ben Venue Labs voluntarily closed their manufacturing facility. Dopram, the brand name version of the drug manufactured by West-Ward, is in short supply. This drug is an important tool of anesthesiologists when people are not breathing well after surgery. In emergency rooms, it is likewise important in dealing with drug overdoses that depress respiration.

Shortage of injectable sulfentanil

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists has announced a shortage of injectable sulfentanil. As you might guess from its name, sulfentanil is related to fentanyl, which has also been in short supply. Both are powerful opioid narcotic analgesics used for pain relief and anesthesia. Baxter cannot give a reason for the shortage of sulfentanil. The company recently sold its injectable fentanyl products to West-Ward, which likewise cannot give a reason for its fentanyl shortage. Hospira cites increased demand for both products as the reason for its shortages, which makes sense since these are the only three manufacturers.

As per my series of posts (primaquine tablets, injectable pentobarbital, calcium acetate capsules,  tetracycline capsules, injectable capreomycin, injectable atropine, injectable metoprolol, injectable levofloxacin, cilostazol tablets, injectable etomidate) on drug shortages, and as you may have read elsewhere, this problem is becoming acute.  In January 2011 Bona Benjamin, ASHP's director of Medication-Use Quality Improvement stated,  "For the past year-and-a-half we've seen quite an escalation in the report of drug shortages, and resolving the shortages is becoming more difficult."

I have yet to post on cancer drug shortages and the gray market in drugs. Sarah Kliff of the Washington Post recently interviewed US Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), who introduced a bill last June requiring manufacturers to warn the FDA of impending shortages. This is particularly important for cancer drugs so that a course of treatment is not interrupted or delayed. Tom Rooney (R-FL) is a cosponsor, and US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.