ASGE continues to advocate and address the drug shortages impacting GI practices. Drug shortages are difficult to anticipate and lead to practice disruptions, including cancellation of cases, and less-than-optimal treatment of patients that put them at greater risk. ASGE has made its concerns known to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress.
Below are updates, tools, and resources to help your unit manage and report these drug shortages. Please keep ASGE updated on the issues you are having with shortages by sending an email to practicemanagement@asge.org.
Drug Shortage Tools
FDA Drug Shortage Database
The FDA Drug Shortages database provides updated information on current and resolved drug shortages. The database includes information about the companies that produce the drugs and an anticipated date in which the shortages should be resolved. Shortages can also be searched by therapeutic categories.
Reporting Drug Shortages
The majority of drug shortage information is provided to FDA by manufacturers. Communication between FDA and the public is an essential component of preventing and mitigating drug shortages. To ensure information is current, FDA appreciates all information and updates about shortages provided by manufacturers. Shortage notifications and updates may be reported to FDA by email at drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov or by phone at 888-INFOFDA (888-463-6332) or 301-796-3400
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Drug Shortage Resource Center
ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center provides information and resources on drug product shortages and management. ASHP and the FDA work very closely in providing the most updated information regarding drug shortages. The ASHP and FDA share updates regarding shortages daily.
Pricing Concerns with Drugs in Shortage
- Pricing issues are not within the purview of FDA. If you have concerns regarding the price of your medications, consumers can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant.
FDA Office of Criminal Investigations
When shortages occur, there are often faxed and e-mailed advertisements received by pharmacies from unknown distributors that offer these drugs at higher prices than the pharmacy normally pays. Concerns should be reported to the FDA via the Office of Criminal Investigations at the following link: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/email/oc/oci/contact.cfm