POLICY

Pharmacy Service will ensure the availability of medication needed to achieve adequate patient care.

A.    Definition

A drug shortage is when any of the following occurs:

    1.    A needed formulary drug is absent from the stockroom shelf.

    2.    The distributor is unable to supply a drug.

    3.    The manufacturer is unable to supply the drug.

    4.    Supplies are used up due to a disaster situation.

B.    Procedure

In any of these situations, the Pharmacy Purchasing Manager will be responsible for assessing the severity of the shortage.

    1.    If the medication is unavailable due to unusual demand and is on backorder, the Purchasing Manager should make arrangements to access the medication from another source until the supply arrives.

    2.    If the shortage is caused by an emergency, the Assistant Director and the Purchasing Manager will call on resources of the various wholesalers, other hospitals who may not be involved in the emergency and the National Drug Supply where applicable.

    3.    In the case of a more lengthy shortage, the Purchasing Manager should notify the Pharmacy Dispensing Supervisor and the Assistant Director of Pharmacy to advise of approximate duration of current stock.  They will then:

    a.    Determine if the drug should be restricted until shortage is resolved.

    b.    Decide if the drug needs to be removed from PYXIS

    c.    Discuss and recommend an acceptable alternative to the drug.

    d.   Educate clinical caregivers involved in the medication process about the alternative when necessary.

4.    The Pharmacy Dispensing Supervisor will notify the pharmacy staff and clinical specialists via e-mail, staff meetings and postings of shortages which will affect dispensing.

5.    The Pharmacy Supervisor will also notify the medical staff of long-term shortages.  The medical staff should be informed of acceptable substitutions and of any changes in procedure for ordering the drug (restricted usage).  This may be posted on the e-chart bulletin board if it affects staff hospital-wide.

6.    The Purchasing Manager will notify the Pharmacy Supervisor and the Assistant Director of Pharmacy of the resolution of the shortage.

7.    The medical staff, pharmacy staff and clinical specialists should all be informed by the Pharmacy Supervisor once the shortage is resolved.