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.

Prescription drug vending machines popping up in Chicago
North Carolina–based Advocate Health has installed kiosks at one clinic and one hospital in Chicago, with more on the way. Patients can now pick up common prescriptions without visiting a retail pharmacy.
Trump, Pfizer announce ‘TrumpRx’ following tariff exemption deal
The new "TrumpRx.com" will sell Pfizer drugs at a heavily discounted price, direct-to-consumers. However, details on the initiative are not entirely clear.
Trump’s Commerce Department floats new medical device tariffs to ‘protect national security’
The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating domestic medical product manufacturing, as well as imports, to gauge how "state-sponsored overproduction" is impacting supply chain security.
Bankrupt Exactech settles case of faulty knee implants for $8M
The settlement was reached with the U.S. Department of Justice as part of Chapter 11 proceedings. Exactech is currently under restructuring that will see its business bought out by multiple investment firms.
CVS’ Omnicare files for bankruptcy after $949M judgment
In May, a jury found the CVS subsidiary liable for filing 3.3 million fraudulent insurance claims between 2010 and 2018. The $949 million judgment was imposed in July.

Prescription Drug Vending Machine Stock Image

Prescription drug vending machines popping up in Chicago

North Carolina–based Advocate Health has installed kiosks at one clinic and one hospital in Chicago, with more on the way. Patients can now pick up common prescriptions without visiting a retail pharmacy.

Trump, Pfizer announce ‘TrumpRx’ following tariff exemption deal

The new "TrumpRx.com" will sell Pfizer drugs at a heavily discounted price, direct-to-consumers. However, details on the initiative are not entirely clear.

President Trump artificial intelligence energy policy

Trump’s Commerce Department floats new medical device tariffs to ‘protect national security’

The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating domestic medical product manufacturing, as well as imports, to gauge how "state-sponsored overproduction" is impacting supply chain security.

Bankrupt Exactech settles case of faulty knee implants for $8M

The settlement was reached with the U.S. Department of Justice as part of Chapter 11 proceedings. Exactech is currently under restructuring that will see its business bought out by multiple investment firms.

CVS’ Omnicare files for bankruptcy after $949M judgment

In May, a jury found the CVS subsidiary liable for filing 3.3 million fraudulent insurance claims between 2010 and 2018. The $949 million judgment was imposed in July.

Joysticks recalled after power wheelchairs move on their own, injuring a patient

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of Mo-Vis BVBA joysticks after a faulty firmware version was linked to the malfunction. Users will need to have their devices upgraded.

FDA designates recall of Hamilton breathing circuits a Class I

Two lots of breathing circuits manufactured by Hamilton Medical have a defect that could cause the tubing to splinter. The affected devices must be quarantined, as they cannot be safely used on patients.

FDA announces recall of Integra applicators due to sanitation risk

Multiple lots of extended tip applicators from Integra LifeSciences could put patients at risk of serious infection, prompting the FDA to designate the recall as Class I.