What Happened to all the Medicine? A discussion with Dr. Marion Mass.

Episode 005: What Happened to All the Medicine? A Discussion of the Chronic U.S. Medication Shortage with Dr. Marion Mass.

Are you aware that we face critical shortages of basic medication and medical supplies on a daily basis in the United States? Currently, over 100 generic medications are at various levels of critical supplies. Spinal anesthetic kits are undersupplied as are a large number of chemotherapeutic medicines.

Many of these medicines have been around for decades yet we are seeing more and more shortages which prevent physicians from appropriately and adequately treating patients. We even have shortages of IV fluids - which is just salt water! How did a rich country like ours with extensive global markets and sophisticated supply networks get to this point?

If we have a country where you never have to go a day without kale in the supermarket, why should we not have basic pain medications for months?

In this episode, Eric and Marion get to the bottom of the problem and discuss the role that Group Purchasing Organizations, Pharmacy Benefit Managements, and a little law passed by Congress in 1987 affect us today. You will be the smartest person on the block after this episode and will come equipped with a plan of action to fix the problem (hint: it will take millions of Americans working together to succeed).

[caption id="attachment_1689" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Dr. Marion Mass - Pediatrician advocating for a repeal of the 1987 Safe Harbor Provision for GPOs and PBMs[/caption]

Practicing Physicians of America: Dr. Mass is a cofounder of this group which looks to support practicing physicians and assist in their quest to treat their patients appropriately.

Physicians Against Drug Shortages: A grassroots organization of physicians addressing the problem of GPOs and PBMs.

Physicians Rise: A platform to keep physicians and non-physicians updated about the forces encroaching on the patient-physician relationship.

60 Minutes: The Problem with Prescription Drug Prices: 60 Minutes episode that aired 5/6/18 about skyrocketing drug prices and who's behind it.

The Health IT Reality and Big Pharma's Big Problems with Dr. Marion Mass: Article featuring Dr. Mass and her efforts taking on big pharma.

Episode 001: Maintenance of Ceritification and how a private organization negatively affects health care

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