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Drug shortages hit Phoenix hospitals

But "There are no shortages that should compromise care at this or any other hospital in the region," a doctor says.
Credit: Creatas / Thinkstock

PHOENIX- Most Phoenix-area hospitals have confirmed they are currently experiencing drug shortages.

The problem is hitting hospitals around the country. Banner Health, HonorHealth, and the Maricopa Integrated Health system all confirmed they are currently experiencing drug shortages.

In a statement Banner Health said:

Banner Health is currently experiencing drug shortages, including many of the drugs listed in the New York Times article. We have processes in place for managing drug shortages. Our processes have thus far prevented significant impact to our patients, and though we anticipate continued challenges, we will continue to actively manage shortages.

"Drug shortages are becoming almost a daily occurrence in healthcare,” said John Hitt, Chief Medical Officer of Maricopa Integrated Health System. "It spans everything from medications to control pain, to antibiotic, to as I said fluid replacement so it’s a broad spectrum."

Currently there is no reported significant impact in the quality of care provided by these hospital groups. Hospitals will often work together to help handle drug shortages, or have those working to find alternative drugs to replace any shortages.

In a survey by the American College of Emergency Physicians, almost 90 percent say they have had to take time away from patient, to research an alternative drug.

The issues behind the drug shortage is partially systematic. Once a drug becomes generic, profit margins decrease. Therefore usually only one or two companies make the cheap version of the drug hospitals rely on. If that company were to experience a delay in production, like Pfizer currently is, the result is drug shortages. Many hospitals felt a squeeze after Hurricane Maria knocked out multiple production lines of medical supplies in Puerto Rico.

“At this week, this month, there are no shortages that should compromise care at this or any other hospital in the region,” Dr. Hitt said.

Dr. Hitt said it is almost impossible to predict which drug may be short when, but it has been the norm for several years for hospitals to figure out how to adjust.

"What we can predict by the nature of the way our manufacturing and production systems work today we will likely have them in a sporadic and unpredictable way," Hitt said.

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