Study: Septic shock drug shortage associated with higher mortality in 2011
The U.S. norepinephrine shortage in 2011 was associated with increased mortality among hospital patients with septic shock, according to a study published yesterday by the Journal of the American Medical Association. The Food and Drug Administration reported a severe nationwide shortage of norepinephrine in 2011 due to production interruptions at three drug manufacturers. The study found that septic shock patients at hospitals experiencing a norepinephrine shortage had a 3.7% higher rate of in-hospital mortality, based on a retrospective analysis of administrative and pharmacy billing data from the Premier Healthcare Database. The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 included a number of AHA-supported to help alleviate critical drug shortages.