Reused Drug Vials and Drug Shortages Raise Safety Alarms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that a shortage of properly packaged drugs may be putting patients at risk for illness.

Several incidents have occurred where clinics administered injections to multiple patients from vials designed to be used on just one patient, according to MSNBC. In recent months, this led 10 patients in Delaware and Arizona to be hospitalized for serious infections they developed from reused drug vials.

The CDC said that since 2007 there have been 20 cases of patient infections, which it says shows a growing problem.

In addition to the reuse of drug vials, drug shortages are also putting patients’ well-being at risk. Some of the drugs in short supply include critical first-line medications such as dextrose 50 to boost the blood sugar of diabetics, Valium to treat seizures, and magnesium sulfate for eclampsia ( an attack of convulsions during pregnancy), according to the Associated Press (AP). Paramedics have also run low on sedation medications and painkillers.

Some emergency responders have reported taking drastic measures to manage the shortage of drug supplies such as administering expired medications or substituting alternatives, according to the AP.

The Food and Drug Administration and drug makers say some reasons for the drug shortages include production shutdowns due to contamination, manufacturing quality lapses, and other serious issues. According to the AP, other reasons for the shortages are increased demand for some drugs, limited supplies of some ingredients, companies ending production of some drugs with small profit margins, and consolidation in the generic drug industry.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to the misuse of a medication, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.

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