DRUG SHORTAGES
If you haven't noticed the shortage of emergency syringes latley then you probably haven't been paying much attention.
Basically there were 2 companies (Hospira and Amphstar (IMS)) that supplied almost all of the emergency medicines we use on a daily basis. About 6 months ago Amphstar dropped out of the business of emergency medicines (mostly pre-filled syringes) due to concerns by the FDA about medicines not being used as indicated (medications not being approved for "emergency" use).
This in turn caused about half the market to shift to Hospira mainly, causing a shortage since they were filling twice as many orders. This also caused many of the medications that were available in one form (syringe or vial) to only be available in other forms (like ampules). The original forms were simply not made anymore.
Just recently (8/5/2010) IMS announced, in cooperation with the FDA, that they will reintroduce some emergency syringes including Dextrose 50%, Epinephrine 0.1mg/mL, Calcium Chloride 100mg/mL, Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4%, Atropine Sulfate 0.1mg/mL, Lidocaine 2%, and Morphine 1mg/mL. Epinephrine 0.1mg/ml syringes are planned for release 8/25/10.
To see the release about Epi shortages click here
To see all the current shortages of medications from the FDA, click here