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Unpredictable drug shortages: an ethical framework for short-term rationing in hospitals.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rosoff, PM
Published in: Am J Bioeth
2012

Periodic and unexpected shortages of drugs, biologics, and even medical devices have become commonplace in the United States. When shortages occur, hospitals and clinics need to decide how to ration their available stock. When such situations arise, institutions can choose from several different allocation schemes, such as first-come, first-served, a lottery, or a more rational and calculated approach. While the first two approaches sound reasonable at first glance, there are a number of problems associated with them, including the inability to make fine, individual patient-centered decisions. They also do not discriminate between what kinds of patients and what types of uses may be more deserving or reasonable than others. In this article I outline an ethically acceptable procedure for rationing drugs during a shortage in which demand outstrips supply.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Am J Bioeth

DOI

EISSN

1536-0075

Publication Date

2012

Volume

12

Issue

1

Start / End Page

1 / 9

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Social Justice
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Patient Selection
  • Humans
  • Hospitals
  • Hospital Administration
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Health Care Rationing
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Rosoff, P. M. (2012). Unpredictable drug shortages: an ethical framework for short-term rationing in hospitals. Am J Bioeth, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2011.634483
Rosoff, Philip M. “Unpredictable drug shortages: an ethical framework for short-term rationing in hospitals.Am J Bioeth 12, no. 1 (2012): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2011.634483.
Rosoff, Philip M. “Unpredictable drug shortages: an ethical framework for short-term rationing in hospitals.Am J Bioeth, vol. 12, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1–9. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/15265161.2011.634483.

Published In

Am J Bioeth

DOI

EISSN

1536-0075

Publication Date

2012

Volume

12

Issue

1

Start / End Page

1 / 9

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Social Justice
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Patient Selection
  • Humans
  • Hospitals
  • Hospital Administration
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Health Care Rationing
  • Evidence-Based Medicine