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.

Express Scripts considering settlement with FTC to resolve insulin pricing dispute, filing reveals
The Federal Trade Commission said it's seeking a resolution with Cigna, the parent company of the pharmacy benefit manager. The agency filed an antitrust complaint against Express Scripts, Optum Rx and CVS Caremark in 2024, alleging the "Big Three" PBMs use anticompetitive tactics to control the insulin supply chain within their vertical.
CMS announces 15 drugs targeted for third round of Medicare price negotiations
The third round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program includes treatments for HIV and diabetes, among other conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also released a list of the top 50 medications it deems strong candidates for future negotiations based on current prices and patient utilization.
Missouri becomes latest plaintiff in lawsuits against PBMs, drug companies over skyrocketing insulin prices
The Missouri complaint mirrors those brought by the Federal Trade Commission, the state of Texas and Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, among others, in that it’s focused on alleged collusion between pharmacy benefit managers and drug companies to control the price of insulin.
FDA announces Class I recall on anesthesia vaporizers due to risk of chemical exposure
Vapor 2000 and Vapor 3000 devices manufactured by Draegar were improperly cleaned after parts were soldered on, meaning toxic metals could mix with medical gases. Due to the high risk posed to patient health, this recall has earned the FDA’s most serious designation.
FDA issues warning over use of Boston Scientific stents after 167 injuries, 3 deaths
Boston Scientific sent all known customers a letter on December 19, 2025 alerting them to an issue with certain AXIOS Stent and Electrocautery Enhanced Delivery Systems. During deployment, the stents may not expand. This can cause severe, potentially life-threatening injury to patients. All recalled stents must be removed from clinical settings immediately.

Express Scripts considering settlement with FTC to resolve insulin pricing dispute, filing reveals

The Federal Trade Commission said it's seeking a resolution with Cigna, the parent company of the pharmacy benefit manager. The agency filed an antitrust complaint against Express Scripts, Optum Rx and CVS Caremark in 2024, alleging the "Big Three" PBMs use anticompetitive tactics to control the insulin supply chain within their vertical.

CMS announces 15 drugs targeted for third round of Medicare price negotiations

The third round of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program includes treatments for HIV and diabetes, among other conditions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also released a list of the top 50 medications it deems strong candidates for future negotiations based on current prices and patient utilization.

Missouri state house capitol Jefferson City

Missouri becomes latest plaintiff in lawsuits against PBMs, drug companies over skyrocketing insulin prices

The Missouri complaint mirrors those brought by the Federal Trade Commission, the state of Texas and Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, among others, in that it’s focused on alleged collusion between pharmacy benefit managers and drug companies to control the price of insulin.

FDA announces Class I recall on anesthesia vaporizers due to risk of chemical exposure

Vapor 2000 and Vapor 3000 devices manufactured by Draegar were improperly cleaned after parts were soldered on, meaning toxic metals could mix with medical gases. Due to the high risk posed to patient health, this recall has earned the FDA’s most serious designation.

warning safety alert recall healthcare issue

FDA issues warning over use of Boston Scientific stents after 167 injuries, 3 deaths

Boston Scientific sent all known customers a letter on December 19, 2025 alerting them to an issue with certain AXIOS Stent and Electrocautery Enhanced Delivery Systems. During deployment, the stents may not expand. This can cause severe, potentially life-threatening injury to patients. All recalled stents must be removed from clinical settings immediately.

ASNC reports shortage of cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers

The two vendors involved say supplies of PYP and HDP could be disrupted for months.

FDA recalls organ recovery kits due to low-grade plastic bags

The recall has been designated a Class I, the most serious type. Certain "convenience kits" manufactured by AVID Medical contain non–medical-grade bags that could expose organs to toxins, increasing the odds of a transplant recipient's body rejecting them.

Lawsuit alleges AFP imported unsafe HIV drugs from Turkey through gray market supply chains

Numerous “alternative funding programs” are named as defendants in what is a larger challenge of the right of these third-party organizations to import drugs from overseas, bypassing FDA regulations.