Nationwide Drug Shortage Has Local Impact On Maryland Hospital

A yearslong, nationwide shortage of medications for a variety of ailments has had an impact at the local level.

Many of the shortages affecting pharmacies, physicians and patients across the country involve sterile injectables -- IV medications -- that include anesthesia, chemotherapy and critical care drugs, according to Joseph Morrissey, Frederick Memorial Hospital's director of pharmacy services.

In recent months, about 50 medicines FMH uses have been in short supply, roughly 20 of which are critical, Morrissey said. Generic medications tend to make up a majority of the drugs.
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