Akorn Pharmaceuticals Shutdown Causing Shortages

On Feb. 22, Akorn Pharmaceuticals abruptly shut down, immediately ceasing all production and distribution without notice. Akorn was a major, and often sole source, of numerous generic pharmaceuticals. The resulting shortages continue to impact MHC and our communities. On April 26, Akorn issued a voluntary recall of all remaining in-date products due to inability to continue quality assurance, which is expected to further exacerbate existing drug shortages.

Use alternatives for the following medications as there is no alternative U.S. source:

• Calcitriol injection: alternatives include oral calcitriol, calcimimetics, vitamin D analogs
• Dimercaperol injection: alternatives include oral succimer; check with Poison Control
• Physostigmine injection: alternatives include oral rivastigmine, injectable Intralipid; check with Poison Control

Akorn was also the main source for the following medications:

• Orphenadrine injection: recommend methocarbamol injection or oral alternatives
• Sufentanil injection: recommend fentanyl
• Albuterol nebulization: recommend MDI if able, levalbuterol if unavailable
  NOTE: MHC hospital supply of albuterol nebs is currently adequate.
• Lidocaine viscous solution
• Multiple ophthalmic medications