#United States #Civica #U.S. Hospitals #Drug Shortages #Lehi

Civica Expands Membership to Combat Drug Shortages

Civica, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of drug shortages in the U.S., has announced the addition of four new members to its growing network of hospital organizations. This initiative is aimed at ensuring patients have uninterrupted access to vital medications, specifically generic sterile injectable drugs. The newly welcomed members include Winona Health in Minnesota, Boulder Community Health in Colorado, Stanford Health Care in California, and Essentia Health in Minnesota.

The expansion brings Civica's total membership to nearly 60, representing approximately one-third of all hospital beds across the United States. Ned McCoy, the President and CEO of Civica, emphasized the organization's mission by stating, “Civica provides a consistent supply of essential, high-quality, generic medicines at a transparent price.” This innovative model allows hospitals of different sizes, from small independent facilities to major health systems, to have stable access to necessary supplies and avoid the uncertainties often faced in pharmaceutical markets.

The U.S. healthcare sector is currently grappling with significant drug shortages, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regularly reporting a long list of medications that are hard to procure. This shortage is particularly troubling for sterile injectable medications, which are commonly needed in urgent care situations. In many cases, healthcare providers are left to rely on less effective or potentially unsafe therapeutic alternatives due to these shortages.

One of the new members, Winona Health, expressed the importance of this partnership. Jill Ender, PharmD, and Director of Pharmacy at Winona Health, stated, “Partnering with Civica helps us ensure we'll continue to have access to the pharmaceutical resources we need to care for people, regardless of external circumstances.” This is a critical step in safeguarding patient care in places where drug accessibility can be compromised.

Civica’s operational model aims to cut out intermediaries in the supply chain, allowing hospitals to engage directly with the organization. This is designed to promote price stability and transparency through fixed, fair pricing for all member hospitals, irrespective of their size. Additionally, Civica commits to maintaining a buffer inventory that can last up to six months, thus enhancing reliability in supply.

As David Sperl, Acute Care Pharmacy Director at Essentia Health, noted, “Essentia Health is excited to join Civica and continue to support more reliable medication supply chains worldwide.” This partnership with Civica aligns well with Essentia's mission to bring about positive changes in community health.

Civica was initially established in 2018 by a coalition of U.S. healthcare systems, catalyzed by the alarming frequency and severity of drug shortages across the nation. With over a thousand hospitals under its umbrella, representing more than 30% of all licensed hospital beds in the U.S., Civica is making significant strides in its aim to stabilize the market for essential medications. Presently, Civica has a portfolio of around 80 different drugs available to its members—ranging from antibiotics to cardiovascular and pain management medications—that are at high risk of shortage.

By focusing on U.S.-based suppliers, Civica not only ensures the quality of the medications provided but also supports domestic production, enhancing the overall resilience of the healthcare supply chain in the U.S. The organization remains steadfast in its pledge to deliver safe, affordable, and dependable medical resources to health providers and their patients, effectively addressing a crisis that has claimed too many lives over the years.

For more information about Civica and its ongoing initiatives, you can visit their official websites at civicarx.org and civicascript.com.