- A common asthma drug is in short supply after one of the last major manufacturers shut down operations. Albuterol is used to treat asthma, along with conditions like Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which surged earlier in the year. Akorn Pharmaceuticals, one of the major suppliers of albuterol, shut down operations at the end of February as part of Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. The company had previously been found to have manufacturing violations at its Illinois and New Jersey factories. With Akorn shut down, there is only one major domestic company that can supply albuterol to hospitals and pharmacies. Hospitals are already preparing for a shortage, monitoring their supplies of albuterol, and preparing for more emergency room visits from patients who may not be able to get the inhaler that helps them breathe. (Articles here, here, and here)
- Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Friday that he plans to sign a measure that would effectively ban abortion clinics from operating in the state, meaning hospitals will soon be the only places where they can be provided in the state. After passing through the state Senate on Thursday with minor amendments, it returned to the Utah House of Representatives Friday morning, where it was approved and then sent to the governor for final approval. The proposal would require all abortions, via medication or surgery, to be provided in hospitals by not allowing new clinics to be licensed after May 2 and not allowing any existing clinics to operate once their licenses expire. (Article here)
March 6, 2023
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