3 ms·
It seems that a law simply allowing private testing of drugs for efficacy, the same way the federal government is allowed to, would go a long way to saving mone
by djrogers 9y ago
It seems that a law simply allowing private testing of drugs for efficacy, the same way the federal government is allowed to, would go a long way to saving money here.
Hospital systems and HMOs are large enough to save millions for a bit of testing, and once enough data is gathered they can easily and safely adjust their retention policies.
- KekDemaga 9y agoGood idea but I suspect, the FDA won't give up their ability to pick winners and losers anytime soon.
- jws 9y agoHospital systems and HMOs turn their inventory fast enough that inventory control can probably handle their problem. Small hospitals and pharmacies probably suffer more from expirations.
- lobster_johnson 9y agoAren't there many drugs that hospitals need to have at hand, but are rarely used? Things like antivenins, anti-rabies serums, or other agents that are only reached for in extreme cases. It may not be a high proportion compared to what hospitals are using on a daily basis, of course (but they might be proportionally more expensive, too).
- pitaa 9y agoAs far as antivenins, it is my understanding that most hospitals don't keep them on hand for the most part, and instead rely on an "antivenin bank" to fly it in when needed. Interestingly, the main bank in the US is run by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue [1]. They have a 24 hour hotline and will arrange to have antivenin immediately flown to anywhere in the world. [1] http://www.miamidade.gov/fire/about-special-venom.asp http://www.miamidade.gov/fire/about-special-venom.asp
- lobster_johnson 9y agoThat's very interesting, thanks!
- djrogers 9y ago> Hospital systems and HMOs turn their inventory fast enough that inventory control can probably handle their problem. Doesn’t sound like it from the article...