Many hospitals are receiving numerous daily offers from “gray market” vendors to buy drugs in short supply, often at more than 10 times the usual price, according to a recent survey by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Gray markets are supply channels that are unofficial, unauthorized or unintended by the original manufacturer.
About half of the 549 hospitals surveyed by ISMP in July and August reported purchasing pharmaceutical products from gray market vendors in the past two years, when the Food and Drug Administration has reported growing drug shortages. The American Hospital Association supports legislation such as the Preserving Access to Life Saving Medications Act (H.R. 2245/S. 296), which would give the FDA tools to better manage drug shortages and prevent them in the future.
According to a recent AHA survey, more than 99% of hospitals reported a drug shortage in the past six months and 92% reported increased drug costs as a result.
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