04/05/2013
Acetylcysteine Inhalation Solution
Mucomyst. Continued manufacturing delays, only Hospira of the 3 manufacturers is releasing product and next delivery is scheduled for April 2013 with estimated recovery: 2Q 2013. Used infrequently by Hospice.

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02/21/2013
Bumetanide Injection
Trade Name-Bumex. Drug is being allocated to direct orders due to shortage and is being released as it is available in February. Estimated recovery in 2nd Qtr 2013. Injection used rarely in Hospice patients.

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04/05/2013
DRUG RECALL: BIVIGAM Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10 Percent Liquid, 100 mL Sterile Vial
During a routine annual reserve inspection, visible particles were observed in lot number 120016 (Expiration Date: March 31, 2014) of BIVIGAM Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Liquid. Biotest is voluntarily recalling this lot from the market. Inspections of other lots of product have not shown the presence of visible particles.

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03/15/2013
DRUG RECALL: Levoxyl Tablets (levothyroxine)
King Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer, has initiated a voluntary recall of Levoxyl (levothyroxine sodium). The recall was initiated after learning of complaints from pharmacists and patients of an uncharacteristic odor coming from Levoxyl bottles. It was determined that the odor was caused by an oxygen-absorbing canister added to 100- and 1000-tablet pharmacy bottles to enhance the stability of the product. The company stated that the odor is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences.

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02/23/2013
DRUG RECALL: Omontys (peginesatide) Injection
Affymax, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are informing the public of a voluntary recall of all lots of OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection to the user level as a result of new postmarketing reports regarding serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening or fatal.

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04/01/2013
DRUG RECALL: Sodium Chloride Injection
Hospira, Inc. notified healthcare professionals of a voluntary nationwide user-level recall of one lot of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 1000 mL, Flexible Container, NDC 0409-7983-09. This action is due to one confirmed customer report where brass particulate was identified in the primary container in the form of several small grey/brown particles. The affected lot number is 25-037-JT (the lot number may be followed by a -01 or -90), with an expiration date of January 1, 2015.

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02/21/2013
Epinephrine Injection
Back-orders on the preservative forms persist. Next delivies in February 2013 but 30 ml vial from American Regent remains unavailable.Used rarely in Hospice.

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04/15/2013
EQUIPMENT RECALL:FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Meter
Abbott Initiates Voluntary Recall of FreeStyle InsuLinx® Blood Glucose Meters in the United States. The company has determined that at extremely high blood glucose levels of 1024 mg/dL and above, the FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter will display and store in memory an incorrect test result that is 1024 mg/dL below the measured result. For example, at a blood glucose value of 1066 mg/dL, the meter will display and store a value of 42 mg/dL (1066 mg/dL – 1024 mg/dL = 42 mg/dL). No other Abbott blood glucose meters are impacted by this issue. See this Press Release for more information.http://www.abbott.com/press-release/abbott-initiates-voluntary-recall-of-freestyle-insulinx-blood-glucose-meters-in-the-united-states.htm

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02/21/2013
Fentanyl Citrate Injection
Increase in product demand due to market supply issues. Some strengths are available especially in ampule form, other forms in vial available. Estimated full recovery in 2nd Qtr 2013. It is stil recommended that the user institute Fentanyl sparing strategies. Used infrequently in Hospice.

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02/19/2013
Fosphenytoin Injection
Trade Name Cerebyx. All presentations currently back-ordered. Check wholesalers for available inventory.Only APP is expected to have next delivery in February and March 2013.Rarely used in Hospice.

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02/21/2013
Furosemide Injection
Manufacturing delays due to increased demand. All manufacturers are on back order, some estimated release in March and April 2013 with full recovery in 2nd Qtr 2013. American Regent not releasing product. Used infrequently in Hospice.

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02/19/2013
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) Tablets
Mallinchrodt has announced a shortage of Hydromorphone 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg tablets and do not expect availability until Summer 2013. There are other manufacturers of Hydromorphone and it is not known yet at this time how this shortage will affect them.

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03/01/2013
Isoniazid Tablets
Shortage appears to be resolved with both 100 mg and 300mg tablets available.Used rarely in Hospice.

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02/23/2013
Ketorolac Injection
Adequate stock is now available even though Bedford and American reagent have discontinued manufacturing. Used rarely in Hospice.

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04/05/2013
Levoxyl (levothyroxine)
Unavailable, currently on backorder due to DRUG RECALL. Estimated shortage until 2014.

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02/21/2013
Lorazepam Injection
Several manufacturers now have readily available product for the most common sizes used. Used occasionally by Hospice.

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02/19/2013
Methylphenidate Tablets
IR tablets are temporarily unavailable by Mallinchrodt while ER tablets will have spotty availability into Spring 2013.

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02/21/2013
Morphine Sulfate Injection Preservative-Free
Increase in product demand, Astramorph not available until date to be announced. Other generic forms of Preservative-Free will be delivered in March and April 2013. Morphine Injections with preservative still have some spotty sizes that are in short supply.Used occasionly in Hospice patients.

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02/21/2013
Propofol Injection
APP is releasing Propofol and Diprivan directly into the channe. Please see the Dear Healthcare Professional Letter (PDF - 614KB)for additional product and supply information. Teva expects to have limited quantities available April 2013. Used rarely in Hospice.

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02/19/2013
Ritalin
See entry under Methylphenidate

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01/10/2013
Tamiflu Oral Suspension
Genentech has Tamiflu for Oral Suspension on intermittent backorder, however supplies remain in distribution at wholesalers and pharmacies.Tamiflu 30 mg, 45 mg and 75 mg capsules remain available. FDA would like to remind healthcare professionals of the FDA-approved Instructions for the emergency compounding of an oral suspension from Tamiflu 75 mg capsules.

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02/21/2013
Tobramycin Injection
Reverified manufacturing delays. Some sizes available in limited supply.Expect next delivery for Hospira product and resolution in the 2nd quarter 2013. Used rarely for Hospice patients.

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