medically necessary
Drug distributors propose wide-ranging opioid settlement
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
Top line: After years of negotiations, several major drug distributors have proposed a $21 billion settlement to resolve a large number of claims that they contributed to the opioid crisis.
AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson announced the proposal last week. If enough states accept the proposal, the agreement would commit the distributors to paying out the settlement over 18 years....
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/drug-distributors-propose-wide-ranging-opioid-settlement
Can 3D printing help the US prepare for the next pandemic?
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The story: Thousands of small businesses, schools and enthusiasts came out of the woodwork last year to produce personal protective equipment with 3D printers.
A recently released report found that those nontraditional producers filled a critical gap early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report, conducted by America Makes, suggests increasing government funding to boost the production capacity of 3D...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/can-3d-printing-help-the-us-prepare-for-the-next-pandemic
Thousands laid off as COVID-driven demand drops
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The problem: Companies making masks, swabs and diagnostic tests are laying off or furloughing thousands of workers as demand for their products is dropping quickly. News reports have tallied nearly 8,000 layoffs at various companies due to declining demand.
Masking: The American Mask Manufacturers Association, a trade group representing about 30 smaller PPE producers, reported that by the end of...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/thousands-laid-off-as-covid-driven-demand-drops
Pandemic gives a boost to remote clinical trials
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The trend: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many drug researchers had to suddenly modify clinical trials to include remote elements, like direct-to-patient drug shipments or video call consultations.
Industry leaders say these kinds of decentralized clinical trials grew rapidly in 2020. Now, the pharmaceutical industry is adopting many of those techniques more permanently.
That could make it easier...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pandemic-gives-a-boost-to-remote-clinical-trials
COVID-19 lockdowns in Malaysia threaten medical glove supply
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The threat: Glove manufacturers in Malaysia are warning that recent COVID-19 lockdowns could disrupt the global supply of rubber gloves.
In response to rising COVID-19 cases, the Malaysian government recently restricted movement and economic activity in some parts of the country, according to NPR.
Last week, the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association asked the government to allow glove...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-in-malaysia-threaten-medical-glove-supply
Perfect storm disrupts supply chain for skin disinfectant products
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The story: A perfect storm of supply chain issues recently led to disruptions for two skin disinfectant products.
Group purchasing organizations are tracking shortages of BD’s ChloraPrep skin disinfectant product and PDI’s iodine prep pads.
The story behind those issues offers a useful glimpse of how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the health care supply chain and how the industry is responding....
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/perfect-storm-disrupts-supply-chain-for-skin-disinfectant-products
Dozens of US mask makers say they’re about to shut down
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The news: A trade group representing more than two dozen mask manufacturers in the U.S. says many members are weeks away from shutting down.
The American Mask Manufacturers Association (AMMA) warns that most member companies will go out of business by the end of July without government support.
The group is calling on the federal government to buy from their members to sustain the nation’s mask...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dozens-of-us-mask-makers-say-theyre-about-to-shut-down
Startup using yeast to make drug components raises $73M
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The idea: A California company producing active pharmaceutical ingredients with engineered yeast raised $73 million to bring its first product to market.
The company, Antheia, will focus on making complex chemicals normally extracted from plants.
The funding was led by Viking Global Investors and included Sherpalo Ventures and Hillspire. The new funding comes amid a push from policymakers to...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/startup-using-yeast-to-make-drug-components-raises-73m