Study: Acute care drug shortages persist, despite 2012 law

Early evidence suggests that the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 has reduced drug shortages overall, but not for acute care drugs, according to a study published May 2 in Health Affairs. “Shortages affecting acute care drugs became increasingly frequent and prolonged compared with non-acute care drugs,” the authors write. “These results suggest that the drug supply for many acutely and critically ill patients in the United States remains vulnerable despite federal efforts.” The law gave the Food and Drug Administration new and expanded regulatory powers to respond to national shortages. Click here to read more from the American Hospital Association.