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.

Ecolab selling its surgical solutions business for $950M
Medline has entered into a “definitive agreement” to buy the surgical division, giving the company access to a variety of surgical supplies and equipment used by clinicians and patients.
FDA announces recall of SonarMed airway monitors after injury
Medtronic brand SonarMed airway monitors and acoustic sensors are being recalled due to a risk of breathing obstruction and lung tissue damage.
FDA announces recall of infusion pumps after thousands of complaints, 1 death
InfuTronix has received 3,698 complaints related to device failures of its Halo Ambulatory Infusion system and other Nimbus pumps.
FDA announces recall of more than 2 million catheter parts, citing serious health risks
Fresenius Medical Care is issuing a recall on 2,192,535 catheter extensions and adapters used in patients with acute and chronic kidney disease.
Joint replacements recalled after FDA safety warning
The FDA initially made the complaint in January. Exactech has agreed to recall products at risk of chemical oxidation as a result of faulty packaging.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new draft guidance designed to help applicants add clinically relevant information about QTc interval prolongation to the labeling of non-antiarrhythmic drugs

‘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.

August 18, 2023

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.

August 18, 2023

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.

July 21, 2023

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.

June 23, 2023

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.

June 6, 2023

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.

May 30, 2023

Medical societies are asking Congress to be involved in Medicare reform efforts.

FDA approval of several impactful drugs could be delayed if US defaults on debt

The FDA’s process of reviewing and approving drugs and devices could be put on hold, if lawmakers fail to reach a deal related to the debt ceiling.

May 30, 2023

CMS proposed medicare physician fee schedule for 2023 radiology.

FDA seeking upwards of $7B for 2024

The Food and Drug Administration has put in for a $7.2 billion chunk of the $6.9 trillion federal budget for fiscal year 2024 that President Joe Biden proposed March 9.

March 9, 2023

Supply Chain

Ecolab selling its surgical solutions business for $950M

FDA announces recall of SonarMed airway monitors after injury

FDA announces recall of infusion pumps after thousands of complaints, 1 death

FDA announces recall of more than 2 million catheter parts, citing serious health risks

Joint replacements recalled after FDA safety warning