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.

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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. 

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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. 

Elizabeth Warren

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. 

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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. 

doctor in handcuffs after being arrested

Anesthesiologist gets 190 years for injecting drugs into IV bags

The IV bags caused multiple patients to experience severe cardiac distress. The judge who sentenced former doctor Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr. said his actions were “tantamount to attempted murder."

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Around the web

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.

Cardiovascular Business
FDA announces recall after Philips heart monitor software failed to send alerts—multiple deaths reported

Philips is recalling the software associated with its Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry devices after certain high-risk ECG events were never routed to trained cardiology technicians as intended. The issue, which lasted for two years, has been linked to more than 100 injuries. 

Cardiovascular Business
Why electrophysiologists needed a champion in Washington

Heart Rhythm Society President Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, detailed a new advocacy group focused on improving EP reimbursements, patient care and access. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu," he said.