Drug Shortage Sparked Rise in Kids’ Infections

IV-related infections in children rose dramatically at a Michigan hospital when there was a shortage of a preventive drug, according to a new study.

Reuters Health reports that when ethanol lock therapy (ELT) was regularly administered to children with certain bowel problems, there was an average of one catheter-related infection per child every four years.  But seven of the eight children in the study quickly developed catheter-related infections after they began to receive less frequent treatment due to a shortage of the drug.

Ethanol is administered to children with bowel problems who need an IV feeding line as their intestines do not absorb the requisite nutrients. The study, published in Pediatrics, indicates that these children are at a higher risk of infection because the bacteria in their gut are not entirely capable of eliminating the germs.

According to Reuters Health, Luitpold Pharmaceuticals is the only supplier of ethanol—dehydrated alcohol— used in ELT. Between April 2011 and September 2011, the company voluntarily stopped manufacturing the drug after facing scrutiny of its pharmaceutical facilities by the FDA.

An FDA official said that though the new study hasn’t been reviewed by the agency, it is working with drug-manufacturing companies to prevent drug shortages.

If you or someone you know has been harmed by a dangerous drug, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation and to find out if a dangerous drug lawyer may be able to help you.

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