Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Dec 1;75(23):1903-1908.
doi: 10.2146/ajhp180203.

Longitudinal trends in U.S. shortages of sterile solutions, 2001-17

Maryann Mazer-Amirshahi  1 , Erin R Fox  2 , Mark S Zocchi  3 , Jesse M Pines  4 , John N van den Anker  5
Affiliations

Longitudinal trends in U.S. shortages of sterile solutions, 2001-17

Maryann Mazer-Amirshahi et al. Am J Health Syst Pharm. .

Abstract

Purpose: Trends in the shortages of sterile solutions in the United States were evaluated.

Methods: A retrospective review of shortage data from the University of Utah Drug Information Service (UUDIS) was performed. Shortages of sterile solutions, including saline, dextrose, lactated Ringer's, and sterile water for injection, were identified. We extracted the product name, reason for the shortage, shortage duration, and primary use of the solution, examining trends in shortages over time.

Results: There were 37 sterile solution shortages in the UUDIS data set, 22 of which had been resolved. The mean ± S.D. duration of a resolved shortage was 13.9 ± 9.6 months. The most common category of solution shortage was for saline products (n = 11). Manufacturing delay was the most common reason given for shortages (n = 19). In 2017, 12 new shortages were reported, and 15 solutions remained in shortage by year's end. This was the highest number of shortages at any time during the study period. The longest active shortage was for 5% dextrose/0.45% sodium chloride, which began in October 2007 and has yet to be resolved.

Conclusion: There were 37 shortages of sterile solutions from 2001 through 2017. Shortages became more severe after Hurricane Maria damaged manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico, with 12 new shortages reported in 2017.

Keywords: drug shortages; sterile solutions.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

DisclosuresDr. Fox is affiliated with the University of Utah Drug Information Service, which receives financial support from Vizient to provide drug shortage information to both Vizient and ASHP; no funds from Vizient are provided directly to Dr. Fox. She has received complimentary registration without honoraria for the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting for participating in continuing-education sessions on drug shortages and has also received travel support without honoraria from the Idaho Society of Health-System Pharmacists for participating in continuing-education sessions on drug shortages. Dr. Fox is also a member of the AJHP Editorial Advisory Board. The other authors have declared no potential conflicts of interest.

LinkOut - more resources