MSSNY Declares Drug Shortage State of Emergency

WESTBURY, NY (09/23/2011)(readMedia)-- The Medical Society of the State of New York has declared a state of emergency regarding the national shortage of life-saving and life-sustaining medicines that have impacted patients in New York. The shortage involves more than 180 drugs and especially concerns sterile injectable medications, chemotherapy agents, anesthetics used for patients undergoing surgery, drugs needed for emergency medicine, electrolytes needed for patients on IV feeding, and other critical medications.

"The Medical Society is calling for the Department of Health and the FDA to investigate the shortage, and then ensure that a stockpile of critical life-sustaining medications be maintained with national oversight. Non-compliance should result in meaningful penalties. Our physicians have been consistently expressing their concern to pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies without any relief in sight," said MSSNY President Paul Hamlin, MD. "Some of our patients are fighting for their lives. Physicians can prescribe, but we cannot regulate the manufacture of drugs."

Physicians representing every district in New York State unanimously agreed to declare this shortage crisis a state of emergency at the Society's Council meeting on September 22, 2011.

Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state's principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all.

To obtain additional information and/or arrange interview requests, contact Janice Morano at 516-488-6100 ext.302 and jmorano@mssny.org.