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.

Bipartisan bills in Congress would force insurance companies, PBMs to sell pharmacies
The Patients Before Monopolies Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, gives parent companies of PBMs three years to divest from pharmacies or face penalties.
FDA recalls 233K bottles of antidepressants due to cancer risk
Bottles of duloxetine manufactured by Rising Pharmaceuticals are being recalled due to higher-than-normal levels of nitrosamine contaminants. The recall is classified as Class II, the second most serious type.
FDA issues Class I recall on insulin syringes due to risk of death
A line of syringes manufactured by Cardinal Health may fail to properly inject insulin when used with needleless IV connectors.
Anesthesiologist gets 190 years for injecting drugs into IV bags
The IV bags caused multiple patients to experience severe cardiac distress. The judge who sentenced former doctor Raynaldo Rivera Ortiz Jr. said his actions were “tantamount to attempted murder."
FDA issues Class I recall on insertion tubes after manufacturing error
Specific FHC-branded insertion tubes used in brain surgery are 20mm longer than expected and could pose a serious risk to patients.

Isotope used in cancer drug development shipped for clinical trials

Actinium-225 remains in short supply, slowing drug research.

January 24, 2024

FDA approves radiopharmaceutical manufacturing site in Indianapolis

The new facility is run by Novartis and is being called the “most advanced of its kind."

January 8, 2024

Pyrophosphate imaging agent shortage reported, could last weeks

Supply chain disruptions are blamed for the lack of production.

December 21, 2023

International Workshop on Medical Radioisotopes Supply, October 2023

Medical radioisotope supply chain faces future crisis, Nuclear Energy Agency warns

Outdated infrastructure and a lack of young people entering the field are both impacting the security of critical isotopes such as molybdenum-99.

December 8, 2023

Amazon Pharmacy is now delivering medications by done

Amazon Pharmacy now delivering medications by drone, promising orders in 1 hour or less

The new service is now live in College Station, Texas. The drones use a series of sensors and cameras to remain stable and navigate around obstacles as needed.

October 19, 2023

Updated branding gives J&J 2 segments sharing 1 name

A healthcare logo familiar to Americans since the 1800s has gotten a makeover.

September 14, 2023

‘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

Supply Chain

Bipartisan bills in Congress would force insurance companies, PBMs to sell pharmacies

FDA recalls 233K bottles of antidepressants due to cancer risk

FDA issues Class I recall on insulin syringes due to risk of death

Anesthesiologist gets 190 years for injecting drugs into IV bags

FDA issues Class I recall on insertion tubes after manufacturing error