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2012-06-03 Home Front: Politix

Hospitals fight drug scarcity, fear patients harmed

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Posted by gorb 2012-06-03 15:14|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 About 12 years ago I designed and implemented a system that created an interface for the two major supply management systems for the Einstein College of Medicine in NYC.

This was a linkage between their new SAP system for logistics (and a lot more) and their automat type vending machines/system that actually dispensed the supplies on the various floors and wards (e.g. drugs, surgical kits, etc.).

As a result I got quite familiar with the complexities of the operation and how a very little glitch in the system can cause major consequences for individual patients.

This sounds VERY scary. Shortly after we went live there was an incident that triggered a mortality review at which I was present. Due to poor training the warehouse staff did not update the SAP system properly and as the lack of supply (supply on demand) worked through the levels of dispensary there came a time when there were no sugical kits available for the scheduled operation. (OOOOOPPS!!) luckily it was not an emergency and was rescheduled but............

Very nasty consequences indeed.

Posted by AlanC 2012-06-03 15:55|| 2012-06-03 15:55|| Front Page Top

#2 No one has mentioned just why it might be that so many different manufacturers have developed industrial-type problems in the last 12 months, as opposed to any other 12 month period in modern history. Some thing else is going on. others have stopped producing a treatment when profit margins erode too far I think they've got it.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2012-06-03 16:29|| 2012-06-03 16:29|| Front Page Top

#3 Shortage of Production is a consequence of regulation not markets...

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2012-06-03 16:33|| 2012-06-03 16:33|| Front Page Top

#4 SAP? Gaaahhhh! We went under the SAP system a couple years ago. Hate it. MIGO makes my eyes glaze over

Posted by Frank G 2012-06-03 16:37|| 2012-06-03 16:37|| Front Page Top

#5 Too much regulation makes for too much overhead. Too much government makes for too much regulation.

Thus is the issue.

Posted by DarthVader 2012-06-03 17:21|| 2012-06-03 17:21|| Front Page Top

#6 It,s not just hospital meds -- commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs have been going short as well. For example, the ADHD drugs that I'm aware of have been in short supply: Ritalin, Adderal, and Vyvance.

Posted by trailing wife 2012-06-03 18:29|| 2012-06-03 18:29|| Front Page Top

#7 Question for somebody who knows about these things: How much of this problem has to do with medicines going off patent? Are companies stopping production of effective but not patented products? Or are there other goblins in the distribution system?

Posted by mom 2012-06-03 19:48|| 2012-06-03 19:48|| Front Page Top

#8 Valium has been off patent for years, and can still be had with ease.

I'd be a pessimistic bastard and say that it is an artificial lack of supply to buttress prices.

Posted by bigjim-CA 2012-06-03 22:59|| 2012-06-03 22:59|| Front Page Top

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