At AHA’s Urging, DEA Takes Steps to Address IV Opioid Shortages

At the request of AHA and others, the Drug Enforcement Administration has taken steps that will address the IV opioid shortages. DEA recently granted some additional quota for raw materials to West-Ward Pharmaceuticals and Fresenius Kabi USA so that they can produce certain injectable opioid medications that are experiencing severe shortages. The Food and Drug Administration has updated its drug shortage database to reflect the upcoming availability of these products. Both drug companies will continue work with DEA on additional quota requests to try to accommodate hospitals’ supply needs for these products in the upcoming months. On Feb. 27, the AHA and several other national pharmacy, medical, and safety organizations sent DEA a letter urging the agency to temporarily adjust the aggregate production quotas for injectable opioid medications in short supply to allow other manufacturers to supply product until the shortages resolve. For more information about how to access these products, the FDA’s database includes customer service contact information for these and other drug companies. The AHA this week shared with hospitals and health systems a new resource developed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service with suggestions for managing the injectable opioid shortages.