Supply Chain

Managing supplies is a crucial part of moving medical products from the manufacturer to patient’s bedside. Efficient supply chains can reduce healthcare costs and make medical devices more affordable for patients and health systems. This news page includes content on supply shortages, inventory management, and procurement practices.

FDA warns of risk of death associated with multiple sclerosis drugs
The agency found 82 cases of anaphylaxis associated with glatiramer acetate, sold under the brand names Copaxone and Glatopa, including 19 that emerged after patients had been taking these drugs for more than a year.
FDA issues warning on endoscopes after injuries, death from infections
All lots of Olympus-branded endoscopes are subject to an alert from the FDA, due to a sanitation issue associated with improper reprocessing.
FDA issues Class I recall on counterfeit infusion pump batteries
ICU Medical alerted customers to knockoff batteries being circulated by suppliers. Due to a risk of the batteries not holding a charge, the recall has been given the FDA’s most serious designation.
FDA issues alert on PCNL sheath safety after patient death
Trokamed sent a letter to customers warning them to never use its Mini PCNL Sheaths for suction and irrigation, due to a risk of kidney rupture.
DOJ sues CVS over unlawful opioid prescriptions and reimbursement
The U.S. Department of Justice said policies at CVS Health forbade pharmacists from discussing patients and providers who may be prescribing opiates in violation of the Controlled Substance Act.

FDA warns of risk of death associated with multiple sclerosis drugs

The agency found 82 cases of anaphylaxis associated with glatiramer acetate, sold under the brand names Copaxone and Glatopa, including 19 that emerged after patients had been taking these drugs for more than a year.

FDA issues warning on endoscopes after injuries, death from infections

All lots of Olympus-branded endoscopes are subject to an alert from the FDA, due to a sanitation issue associated with improper reprocessing.

FDA issues Class I recall on counterfeit infusion pump batteries

ICU Medical alerted customers to knockoff batteries being circulated by suppliers. Due to a risk of the batteries not holding a charge, the recall has been given the FDA’s most serious designation.

FDA issues alert on PCNL sheath safety after patient death

Trokamed sent a letter to customers warning them to never use its Mini PCNL Sheaths for suction and irrigation, due to a risk of kidney rupture.

CVS Health announces $10.6B acquisition of Oak Street Health

DOJ sues CVS over unlawful opioid prescriptions and reimbursement

The U.S. Department of Justice said policies at CVS Health forbade pharmacists from discussing patients and providers who may be prescribing opiates in violation of the Controlled Substance Act.

Bipartisan bills in Congress would force insurance companies, PBMs to sell pharmacies

The Patients Before Monopolies Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, gives parent companies of PBMs three years to divest from pharmacies or face penalties.

FDA recalls 233K bottles of antidepressants due to cancer risk

Bottles of duloxetine manufactured by Rising Pharmaceuticals are being recalled due to higher-than-normal levels of nitrosamine contaminants. The recall is classified as Class II, the second most serious type.

FDA issues Class I recall on insulin syringes due to risk of death

A line of syringes manufactured by Cardinal Health may fail to properly inject insulin when used with needleless IV connectors.

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

Nat’l Academy of Medicine sets ‘priorities for action’ as healthcare mulls next moves with AI

Given the precarious excitement of the moment—or is it exciting precarity?—policymakers and healthcare leaders must set directives guiding not only what to do with AI but also when to do it.

Cardiovascular Business

Biden chooses semaglutide for next round of Medicare price negotiations—Trump gets final say

The final list also included diabetes drugs sold by Boehringer Ingelheim and Merck. The first round of drug price negotiations reduced the Medicare prices for 10 popular drugs by up to 79%.

AI in Healthcare

4 ways HHS plans to help shape a national strategy for healthcare AI

HHS has thought through the ways AI can and should become an integral part of healthcare, human services and public health. Last Friday—possibly just days ahead of seating a new secretary—the agency released a detailed plan for getting there from here.