Thursday, April 5, 2012

CMS rules contribute to drug shortages, hospital pharmacists say

Federal guidance requiring strict adherence to manufacturer labels for injectable drugs has forced hospitals to throw away perfectly good drugs that are in short supply, according to a survey of pharmacy directors and managers.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices, based in Horsham, Pa., has called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to review its policies involving stability and beyond-use dating of medicines. The institute surveyed 715 hospital pharmacists and managers who reported that following manufacturer directions has contributed to national drug shortages.

CMS requires pharmacists to be compliant with Food and Drug Administration-approved labels to avoid the use of expired drugs. But pharmacists who were surveyed said some labels are not current and that newer, evidence-based research supports a longer shelf life in certain circumstances.

Those studies have shown that diluted drugs remain stable beyond their stated expiration dates, said Allen J. Vaida, PharmD, the institute’s executive vice president. Nearly all of the respondents — 97% — said CMS rules requiring strict adherence to manufacturer’s directions when evidence-based compendia information recommends longer beyond-use dating increase waste of usable drugs.

For complete article, please see link below:
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/02/gvsc0405.htm

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