The University of Texas Medical Branch Dermatology Interest Group (UTMB DIG) is a resource for medical students interested in Dermatology as well as for dermatologists and residents.
Editors
Current Editors: Fareen Momin and Jane Onyemachi
(Please email editors if there is blog-worthy news that you would like to see shared)
Past Editors: Andrea Francis, Renat Ahatov, Michael Phan, Elise Weisert, Michael Ryan, Keith Wagner, Tim Allen, Kristyna Gleghorn, Dung Mac, Alex Acosta, William Tausend, Sheila Jalalat, Rebecca Philips, Chelsea Altinger, Lindsey Hunter, Alison Wiesenthal, Leslie Scroggins, Mara Dacso, Ashley Group, Fadi Constantine, Emily Fridlington, Joslyn Witherspoon, Tasneem Poonawalla.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
National Lidocaine Shortage
Yes, there appears to be a national shortage of lidocaine according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, along with many other frequently prescribed medicines (see http://www.ashp.org/DrugShortages/Current/bulletin.aspx?id=859 ). Lidocaine is widely used by dermatologists and other health care providers such as dentists to provide local anesthesia during a variety of otherwise painful procedures. While we are unaware of procedures being canceled due to the unavailability of lidocaine, it will be possible that this will occur in the future if none is available. According to the FDA website, the FDA monitors drug shortages but cannot require manufacturers to report the reason or duration (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/ucm050792.htm ).