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.

CMS unveils $50 GLP-1 prescriptions for Medicare patients
The agency said the new program, made possible by Medicare Part D, begins on July 1 and will extend until the end of 2027. For $50 a month, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access popular weight loss drugs, in hopes they will improve overall health.
FDA adds surgical sponges, strips to list of shortages after Medline recall
Regulators said the shortages of neurosurgery devices are likely to extend until the end of the year. Medline recalled its neurosurgical patties due to a potential toxicity issue. The FDA said it's looking for alternatives.
Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to sign on to TrumpRx
The New Jersey-based drug developer joins AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer in offering products directly to patients at a discounted rate. Johnson & Johnson is currently listing four medications on the platform.
FDA moves to restrict compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs
The agency said it is seeking to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B program based on a lack of clinical evidence. Unless there’s a shortage, the pharmaceuticals would be barred from being compounded by third-parties for the purpose of treating diabetes or obesity. The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal.
FDA announces recall on insulin pump pods after leaks cause 29 serious injuries
Some Omnipod 5 devices, manufactured by Insulet, are subject to the Class I recall. The products with the defect must be removed from where they are used or sold to ensure safety, as lower-than-expected insulin doses could have potentially lethal repercussions.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) have become the wonder drug not only of weight loss, but also for improving cardiovascular health in a growing number of positive cardiovascular trials. The latest study of more than 13,000 patients presented at Heart Rhythm 2026 this week showed the GLP-1 reduce atrial fibrillation (AFib) and survival, even after accounting for the drug’s impact on weight loss.

CMS unveils $50 GLP-1 prescriptions for Medicare patients

The agency said the new program, made possible by Medicare Part D, begins on July 1 and will extend until the end of 2027. For $50 a month, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access popular weight loss drugs, in hopes they will improve overall health.

FDA adds surgical sponges, strips to list of shortages after Medline recall

Regulators said the shortages of neurosurgery devices are likely to extend until the end of the year. Medline recalled its neurosurgical patties due to a potential toxicity issue. The FDA said it's looking for alternatives.

Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest pharmaceutical company to sign on to TrumpRx

The New Jersey-based drug developer joins AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer in offering products directly to patients at a discounted rate. Johnson & Johnson is currently listing four medications on the platform.

overweight patient seeking health advice

FDA moves to restrict compounded versions of popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs

The agency said it is seeking to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B program based on a lack of clinical evidence. Unless there’s a shortage, the pharmaceuticals would be barred from being compounded by third-parties for the purpose of treating diabetes or obesity. The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal.

FDA recall medical device recall product recall

FDA announces recall on insulin pump pods after leaks cause 29 serious injuries

Some Omnipod 5 devices, manufactured by Insulet, are subject to the Class I recall. The products with the defect must be removed from where they are used or sold to ensure safety, as lower-than-expected insulin doses could have potentially lethal repercussions.

Example of a RF burn from an MRI scan where a sedated patient's identification bracelet was touching their skin during an exam. Image courtesy of RSNA. https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.09090637

FDA: CVS and MediHoney wound gels recalled after 14 serious injuries

The wound and burn gels are manufactured by Integra LifeSciences. Defective packaging could cause the sterile barrier to fail, exposing the gels to pathogens. Due to the risk of severe infections, all recalled products must be removed from where they are used and sold.

FDA, CMS unveil rapid Medicare coverage pathway for critical medical devices

Prior to the new “RAPID” program announced on Thursday, it could take a year or more for Breakthrough-designated medical devices to earn approval for Medicare coverage. Now regulators say that timeline could be reduced to as little as two months.

FDA announces recall on angiography syringes after 4 serious injuries to patients

The recall is officially an early alert, as the syringes are part of surgical convenience kits—the rest of which are safe to use. The defective syringes risk causing fatal injuries to patients and must be discarded.