Academy tackles lidocaine shortage

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 address the shortage with policymakers and manufacturers to identify the root causes of the shortage and develop solutions to mitigate future supply issues.

• In June 2022, 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 2022, the AADA, ACMS, ASDSA, and ASMS sent a joint letter to the FDA 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 2022, 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.

• The AADA recently met with manufacturers Fresenius Kabi and Pfizer to discuss Academy members’ concerns with the ongoing lidocaine shortage. Both manufacturers noted a significant increase in demand for lidocaine and estimated relief by late 2023.

Read more about the AADA’s advocacy efforts on this issue.