Drug Shortage

Shortage of dexmedetomidine for injection

Hospira sued the FDA and obtained a temporary restraining order earlier this month to remain the sole supplier of their brand name product, Precedex. Now the company says they have suffered an unspecified “manufacturing delay” leading to a shortage as reported by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

On August 19th, the FDA approved generic versions produced by Par Sterile Products and Mylan Institutional, and there is some dexmedetomidine from Par available. Maryland District Court Judge George Jarros Hazel originally ordered a recall for the generic products along with the TRO of August 19th, but later rescinded the recall.

The sedative effects of this drug are useful for suppressing the gag reflex when a doctor or nurse puts a tube down your throat so that a machine can breathe for you.