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Drug shortages aren’t just temporary supply hiccups—they can become full-blown healthcare crises that can last for years and directly impact patient outcomes (especially in correctional settings). We look at all the dimensions of drug shortages, from manufacturing failures and fragile supply chains to economic and regulatory challenges. Chris highlights notable examples such as heparin and norepinephrine, examines the unique risks that shortages pose in correctional healthcare, and shares practical strategies that providers can use to prepare, respond, and protect patients when critical medications become scarce.
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Music in this Episode:
The Retro Synth by Art Haiz
Vitals & Headlines (Suno AI)
Breezy Thoughts (Suno AI)
Trivia Time Ticker (Suno AI)
References/Further Reading:
Into the Clinic:
1. Foundayo (orforglipron) — FDA approves first oral non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management. FDA News Release. April 1, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/new-drugs-fda-cder-new-molecular-entities-and-new-therapeutic-biological-products/novel-drug-approvals-2026
2. Awiqli (insulin icodec) — FDA approves once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 diabetes. FDA News Release. March 26, 2026.
3. Generic Dapagliflozin — FDA approves first generics of Farxiga. FDA News Release. April 7, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-approves-first-generics-farxiga
4. Mirtazapine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder — McKetin R, et al. Mirtazapine for methamphetamine use disorder: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 1, 2026 doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2026.0159
Drug Shortages:
5. FDA Drug Shortages FAQ — U.S. FDA. Drug Shortages: Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/drug-shortages
6. FDA Report to Congress — U.S. FDA. Report to Congress: Drug Shortages for Calendar Year 2020. FDA; 2021.
7. ASPE/HHS Analysis— ASPE/HHS. Analysis of Drug Shortages 2018–2023. Washington, DC: HHS; January 2025. https://aspe.hhs.gov
8. Mental Health in Corrections — Bronson J, Berzofsky M. Indicators of Mental Health Problems Reported by Prisoners and Jail Inmates,2011–12. BJS Special Report NCJ 250612. Washington, DC: BJS; 2017. https://bjs.ojp.gov
9. ASHP Drug Shortage Statistics — ASHP. Drug Shortage Statistics Q1 2024. Bethesda, MD: ASHP; 2024. https://www.ashp.org/drug-shortages
10. GAO Report — U.S. GAO. Drug Shortages: HHS Should Implement a Mechanism to Coordinate Its Activities. GAO-25-107110. Washington, DC: GAO;2024. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107110
11. Heparin Shortage Database — U.S. FDA. Drug Shortage Database: Heparin Sodium Injection [continuously updated]. https://accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages
12. Drug Shortages Review — McLaughlin M, et al. Drug shortages in US health systems: review of causes and policy responses. Am JHealth Syst Pharm. 2013;70(15):1351–1361. doi:10.2146/ajhp120563
13. Norepinephrine Shortage & Mortality — Vail E, et al. Association Between US Norepinephrine Shortage and Mortality Among Patients With Septic Shock. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1433–1442. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.2841
14. FDA Safety and Innovation Act — Drug Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), Public Law 112-144, Section 1001. Washington, DC;2012.
15. Vizient Cost Survey — Vizient, Inc. Beyond the Shortage: The Hidden Cost of Drug Supply Chain Disruptions. Irving, TX: Vizient; June 2025. https://www.vizientinc.com/newsroom
16. Estelle v. Gamble — Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S.97 (1976). United States Supreme Court.
17. Buprenorphine Bioavailability — Moody DE, et al. Buprenorphine and naloxone bioavailability after buccal, sublingual, and sublabial administration. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2022;61(11):1621–1630.doi:10.1007/s40262-022-01163-4
18. ASHP Shortage Management Guidelines — ASHP. Guidelines on Managing Drug Product Shortages. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2018;75(21):1742–1750. doi:10.2146/ajhp180441
19. FDA Med Watch Reporting — U.S. FDA. MedWatch: FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-a-problem
Trivia Capsule:
20. Cinchona /Quinine History — Gachelin G, et al. Evaluating cinchona bark and quinine for treating and preventing malaria. J RSoc Med. 2017;110(1):31–40. doi:10.1177/0141076816681421
21. Quinine Modern Role — Achan J, et al. Quinine, an old anti-malarial drug in a modern world. Malar J. 2011;10:144.doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-144
22. Cinchona History(Cambridge) — Rocco A. Cinchona: a short history. Cambridge University Library. https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/rcs/projects-exhibitions/products-empire-cinchona-short-history
23. Quinine Global History — Cassauwers T. The global history of quinine, the world's first anti-malaria drug. Medium. https://medium.com/@tcassauwers/the-global-history-of-the-worlds-first-anti-malaria-drug-d1e11f0ba729
