FDA Drug Shortages Task Force Applauded by EMS Physicians

Last week the Food and Drug Administration announced the formation of a Drug Shortages Task Force aimed at alleviating nationwide shortages of life-saving drugs. The National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) and other medical groups representing physicians and medical professionals across the country are throwing their support behind the new FDA task force, which was created at the urging of Congress. The NAEMSP, an organization of more than 1,500 physicians and EMS professionals who advocate for all levels of EMS care providers, has been actively engaged on drug shortages issues in Washington since shortages of essential emergency medications spiked in 2011. “Currently EMS agencies, emergency departments and hospitals across the nation are severely restricting use of IV fluids, pain medications, anti-nausea medications, sedatives, and airway management medications due to supply shortages,” said NAEMSP President and JEMS editorial board member Brent Myers, MD, MPH, FAEMS, in a press release issued today from the NAEMSP.  “As the leading organization for EMS Physicians, NAEMSP has prioritized our advocacy efforts around ending drug shortages and this week’s FDA Drug Shortage Task Force announcement shows great potential.” NAEMSP members met with legislators on Capitol Hill during the group’s Government Relations Academy Fly-In in April this year, sharing insight with key members of Congress regarding the effects of drug shortages on out-of-hospital emerg...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Administration and Leadership Source Type: news