ISPE to conduct drug shortage survey
Will gather data on technical, manufacturing, quality and compliance issues
ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, based in Tampa, Florida, US, is to conduct a global survey on drug shortages that will be sent to its international membership later this month.
As a not-for-profit association with both industry and regulator members in 90 countries, ISPE says it is uniquely positioned to facilitate communication between the different sectors of the pharmaceutical industry and global health authorities as they seek to address this complex problem.
The survey aims to leverage ISPE Members’ expertise to gather data on the technical, scientific, manufacturing, quality and compliance issues that have resulted in drug shortages. Preliminary results are expected in June.
‘The prevention of drug shortages is critically important to global health,’ said Nancy Berg, ISPE President and CEO. ‘Any effort to address effectively the complex and multi-faceted issues contributing to drug shortages requires close technical collaboration and clear communication between the pharmaceutical industry and global health authorities. ISPE is committed to supporting efforts to uncover the root causes of drug shortages, and we believe this survey is a critical first step.’
The survey was developed by ISPE's Drug Shortage Initiative, led by a task force of industry leaders with review and input by leading global health authorities and related organisations. By design, the task force has limited the scope of this survey to the technical, scientific, manufacturing, quality and compliance issues that have resulted in drug shortages. Survey responses will be completely anonymous, and all data tabulated by a third party.
