The challenge for drug shortage: lessons learned from the quality issues of Japanese generic drug companies

Author byline as per print journal: Takanao Hashimoto1, PhD; Akihiko Ozaki2, MD, PhD; Hiroaki Saito3, MD; Erika Yamashita4, Tetsuya Tanimoto5, MD; Mihajlo Jakovljevic6,7,8, MD, PhD Abstract: This paper examines the repercussions of recent quality and regulatory crises in Japan’s generic pharmaceutical sector, focusing on incidents involving Sawai Group Holdings (Sawai GHD) and other manufacturers. It […]


Drug shortages hit US oncologists hard

  Abstract: The number of drug shortages in the US has tripled between 2006 and 2012, with drug shortages now affecting most US oncologists and impacting on patient care. There is a need for new guidelines to control drug substitutions and to single out priority populations for relatively scarce drugs. The very real threat of […]


Steps to ensure adequate supply of biological medicines: considerations for the healthcare provider

Author byline as per print journal: Andrew Mica, MBA, Martha Mutomba, PhD, Larry Green, PharmD Introduction: When drug shortages occur, healthcare providers (HCPs) often must ration drugs, cancel or delay treatments, or utilize alternative drugs that may be less efficacious and/or are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes, potentially impacting patient care. The likelihood […]