[mrsD]

Here is a link to a site that lists the current shortages
of various medications. I thought it might be useful for some
patients here:

http://www.ashp.org/Import/PRACTICEA...in.aspx?id=509

[Vowel Lady]

These seem to be narcotics. Are they all narcotics? Wonder the cause of all this...what is your best guess Mrs. D?

Looking for reasons...I saw this...
"In December, 2008, KV Pharmaceuticals, which markets prescription medications through Ethex, voluntarily suspended shipment of all prescription tablet products (http://www.kvpharmaceutical.com/news...?articleid=276). In early 2009, FDA filed an injunction against KV Pharmaceuticals preventing the company from manufacturing any products until all issues are resolved. "

This was listed as the reason for the shortage. What???? Does this say much of anything? What is the reason for the injunction?

[mrsD]

The injunction was because some morphine tablets last year were made the wrong size...bigger..and could poison patients not able to handle the large dose.

This led to an inspection of the manufacturing facilities which were found lacking. Eventually ALL products were discontinued, some recalled at the wholesale level but not from patients.

The oxycodone shortage has to do with not enough released by the DEA for that time period. Every control has a yearly quota. Sometimes it is not enough. Ritalin had this happen many years ago for example. The raw powders are shipped according to FDA allotments yearly. Some people who are conspiracy oriented are blaming the government for being anti pain control and doing it on purpose. I don't think that is likely since it has happened before, just not commonly.

The KV issue may have led to more oxycodone from other companies being used up faster, but I don't think that is the reason it is short now.
KV will probably not be making it for a while. But ALL companies ran out eventually.

When Schering recalled all albuterol inhalers, there was a shortage of that too, years ago.

Sometimes shortages occur when a patent is sold, and another company starts making it. But not always everytime.

[mrsD]

The FDA is pulling some more products off the market, claiming they were never approved ...these are are opiates for pain:

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/unappro...arcoticsQA.htm

[MooseasaurusRex]

Working on that 20% pay raise for you mrsD.

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork...