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.

DOJ settles $17M kickback case with catheter supplier
Liberator Medical Supply was accused of offering doctors kickbacks, such as discounted and free supplies, in exchange for filling prescriptions with its products.
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.

Updated branding gives J&J 2 segments sharing 1 name

A healthcare logo familiar to Americans since the 1800s has gotten a makeover.

Governors urge Congress to act now on medication shortages, supply chain insecurities

Eleven GOP governors joined together to call for a more transparent drug manufacturing supply chain.

‘Gray market’ vendors hike up prices during drug shortages, leaving hospitals in a bind

Hospital executives find themselves in a challenging position—pay big bucks for hard-to-find medications or risk letting their patients down.

FDA warning letter details quality concerns, violations at Integra facility

The facility in question is responsible for producing collagen-based medical devices primarily used in wound care, soft tissue repair and complex reconstruction surgeries.

Pfizer facility on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, after damage from severe weather. TRAVIS LONG/THE NEWS & OBSERVER VIA AP

Pfizer plant takes heavy tornado damage, loses approximately 50,000 pallets of sterile injectables

The Rocky Mount, North Carolina-based facility is said to be responsible for producing 25% of Pfizer’s sterile injectables used by hospitals in the U.S.

COVID-19 vaccine vaccination myocarditis heart damage inflammation RSNA imaging radiology cardiology

Moderna's updated COVID vaccine now awaits FDA authorization

"We have been working diligently for months to build ample supply, with doses ready to ship in time for the fall vaccination season in the Northern Hemisphere,” Moderna's CEO said in the announcement.

Merck Januvia Janumet Steglujan Nitroso-STG-19 (NTTP) type 2 diabetes

Merck sues US government over Medicare's drug price negotiation liberties, calls program a 'sham'

Merck believes the Inflation Reduction Act-launched effort “coerces” manufacturers to enter into agreements to sell their top products at a fraction of their actual value.

Integra poised to take $60 million hit following voluntary recall of devices manufactured at Boston facility

Production of Integra’s SurgiMend, PriMatrix, Revize and TissueMend products has been temporarily halted due to the recalls, although the company said it has not received any customer complaints.

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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.

Supply Chain

DOJ settles $17M kickback case with catheter supplier

FDA warns of risk of death associated with multiple sclerosis drugs

FDA issues warning on endoscopes after injuries, death from infections

FDA issues Class I recall on counterfeit infusion pump batteries

FDA issues alert on PCNL sheath safety after patient death

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