Atropine, why the worldwide shortage?

**Ambush Master** · 03-12-2013, 16:41

Anyone know why there is a worldwide shortage of Atropine?? Did China buy it all up?!?!

Later
Martin

Richard · 03-12-2013, 17:09

http://www.ashp.org/DrugShortages/Cu...in.aspx?id=814

Richard

Sdiver · 03-12-2013, 17:57

Last semester one of my instructors stated that this "shortage" has been going on for several years. A quick google shows reports about this shortage dated as far back as 2008.

He also said that this "shortage" was also due to the fact that after 9/11, there was a mad rush to make as many AtroPens in anticipation of another terrorist attack on us, this time using Nerve Agents. But it never happened and all those AtroPens went to waste/expired.

Now it's more on a case by case basis and "as needed", from what we understand.

ETA ... Here's the FDA's web site showing some "excuses" ..... http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/...9.htm#atropine

When I was on the ambulance, we didn't have or see any shortage.

The big issue we faced, and from I understand is still out there, is the shortage of D-50/D-25/D-10

PedOncoDoc · 03-12-2013, 18:25

We have been dealing with rolling shortages of many medications over the past 3-4 years - it seems these are increasing, especially for drugs that are cheap and the patent has expired - no profit = no drive to maintain production, especially if a bad batch gets out.

Patriot007 · 03-13-2013, 17:09

We've also seen shortages of an alarming amount of common drugs. One positive outcome is getting experience with a breadth of drugs. We've had to get used to RSI without the luxury of etomidate, which little stores we have are saved for the field.

Past few months alone: Propofol (insert Michael Jackson joke here), Compazine, IV Ativan, IV acyclovir, even calcium gluconate recently.

Strangely though we have NEVER been low on Dilaudid...