Lidocaine shortage: AADA advocates, offers resources for physicians
The Academy knows how severely the current lidocaine and lidocaine with epinephrine shortage is affecting your patients and practices. That is why we are actively working to identify the root causes of the shortage and to develop solutions to mitigate future supply issues.
In June, AADA Compounding Workgroup Chair Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD,
and AADA Past President George Hruza, MD, MBA, FAAD, representing the ASDSA, participated in an FDA compounding workgroup listening session. They took the opportunity to clearly outline the consequences for patients of the escalating problem with the shortage of generic injectable medications.
In August, the AADA sent a joint letter to the FDA with ACMS, ASDSA, and ASMS
expressing our concern about the critical national shortage of lidocaine with epinephrine, lidocaine, and other local anesthetics. The societies urged the FDA to take immediate action by adding lidocaine and lidocaine with epinephrine to the “List of Extended Use Dates to Assist with Drug Shortages.”
In October, the AADA also formed a Drug Shortage Workgroup
to identify the root causes of the shortage and strategize on advocacy efforts to mitigate the ongoing problem.
On the legislative front, the AADA has supported H.R. 3662,
the Patient Access to Urgent-Use Pharmacy Compounding Act, which would improve access to compounded drugs for in-office use and improve access to medications during drug shortages.
Patients can get involved with advocacy on using the AADA’s template letter, which you can download and share. Read more about the AADA’s advocacy efforts on this issue.
We’ve also developed tools and resources to help members navigate the current shortage including:
Rules and restrictions on importing lidocaine from Canada
Tips on how to avoid distributor price gouging tactics when purchasing lidocaine.
Academy guidance on using lidocaine that has passed its expiration date.
Read more about why there is a lidocaine shortage, when we can expect the shortage to be alleviated, and more.
