Pediatric hospitals across the United States are facing a shortage of albuterol sulfate inhalation solution, a fast-acting drug used to treat patients with asthma and other respiratory conditions, including COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus. If a patient [has] allergic forms of asthma, the need for asthma rescue medications [such as] albuterol increases. Leval-buterol cost can range anywhere from 5 [to] 10 times more expensive than albuterol depending on the formulation and strength.”Meanwhile, the federal government is working with Nephron Pharmaceuticals to increase the production and supply of liquid albuterol. Most recently, the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) found an alternative supply of liquid albuterol from a new producer, STAQ Pharma. Because the organization is a new producer of liquid albuterol, it produces the drug with an expiration date of 32 days, which requires careful planning and frequent deliveries.

Source: Washington Post July 20, 2023 15:35 UTC