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 merges all adverse event reporting systems into new AEMS platform
Adverse event reports for food, drugs, vaccines, dietary supplements and medical devices will soon be available in one place. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the change will simplify reporting for consumers and allow it to react in real-time to FOIA requests.
Medical device manufacturer hit by cyberattack, possibly from Iranian-backed hackers
Stryker, a Michigan-based company that manufactures surgical implants, confirmed it was experiencing a global network outage. Employee devices reportedly displayed the logo of a pro-Iran cybercrime cell.
FDA issues emergency alert after reports of 5 serious injuries connected to exploding cryoprobes
The devices are manufactured by Erbe USA. They’re used to deliver pressurized cold therapy to tumors, blood clots, and more. A manufacturing defect can cause a rupture, exposing anyone in the vicinity to a dangerous blast and deafening sound.
$15M in medical device and cancer testing fraud earns chiropractor 43 months in prison
Teflyon Cameron’s sentence was announced on Monday. She pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme that sent kickbacks to doctors for medically unnecessary orders. The U.S. Department of Justice said the conspiracy went on for “several years.
FTC seeks more time to settle insulin pricing lawsuit with remaining PBM defendants
The request to the court comes a month after the agency settled with Express Scripts, under the condition the company change its wholesale buying practices, pass on manufacturer rebates and support TrumpRx.gov. Now it's up to CVS Caremark and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx to make deals of their own.

FDA merges all adverse event reporting systems into new AEMS platform

Adverse event reports for food, drugs, vaccines, dietary supplements and medical devices will soon be available in one place. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the change will simplify reporting for consumers and allow it to react in real-time to FOIA requests.

Medical device manufacturer hit by cyberattack, possibly from Iranian-backed hackers

Stryker, a Michigan-based company that manufactures surgical implants, confirmed it was experiencing a global network outage. Employee devices reportedly displayed the logo of a pro-Iran cybercrime cell.

FDA issues emergency alert after reports of 5 serious injuries connected to exploding cryoprobes

The devices are manufactured by Erbe USA. They’re used to deliver pressurized cold therapy to tumors, blood clots, and more. A manufacturing defect can cause a rupture, exposing anyone in the vicinity to a dangerous blast and deafening sound.

$15M in medical device and cancer testing fraud earns chiropractor 43 months in prison

Teflyon Cameron’s sentence was announced on Monday. She pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme that sent kickbacks to doctors for medically unnecessary orders. The U.S. Department of Justice said the conspiracy went on for “several years.

FTC seeks more time to settle insulin pricing lawsuit with remaining PBM defendants

The request to the court comes a month after the agency settled with Express Scripts, under the condition the company change its wholesale buying practices, pass on manufacturer rebates and support TrumpRx.gov. Now it's up to CVS Caremark and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx to make deals of their own.

Two drug suppliers plead guilty in $50M ‘straw purchase’ resale scheme

The two men, Frank Incognito, 46, and Stephen Corba, 50, conspired with doctors in a scheme involving the fraudulent purchase of critical cancer and macular degeneration drugs, which were then diverted and resold for profit. The U.S. Department of Justice said the unlawful pact lasted seven years.

CMS defers $260M in Medicaid funds as part of ‘major crackdown on healthcare fraud’

The money was meant for Minnesota, where criminals were indicted for abusing the Medicaid system to run bogus daycare centers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not specify how the state can rectify the situation to the Trump administration’s satisfaction.

FDA announces recall on infusion systems after software anomaly injures 2 patients

The recall has been designated as the most serious, Class I, but the issue can be remedied with a software update. The affected devices are Ivenix Large Volume Pumps manufactured by Fresenius Kabi.