APP Pharmaceuticals Launching Drug Hotline in US–Check Status Of Fresenius Propoven (Propofol)-The Only US FDA Approved Drug

The company makes the only #1 preferred drug for anesthesia in the US and it’s not only regular surgeries that are feeling the pinch, so are dentists and veterinarians too. The drug is manufactured in Germany and sold here in the US by APP Pharmaceuticals. As of today the website states the company is supplying 100 percent of the current market demand for propofol injections, but there seems to be a difference of opinions in the news. I just heard that in Phoenix all hospitals are working together to ensure those surgeries that doctors feel are the highest on the list for using this drug over others that are out there, which are older and harder to monitor. if you read on the web you can find a few sites where facilities are also talking about how they are sharing the supply. Perhaps the market demand as it is called is filled, but how about actual orders where hospitals are waiting and having to share?

APP Drug Hotline (888) 386-1300, option 6. The Hotline is available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (CST).

In addition to propofol, the company also manufactures several chemotherapy drugs. Teva, earlier this year stopped manufacturing the product in the US.

Teva To Stop Manufacturing Propofol – With No US Manufacturers Left FDA Approved Import From Europe

Sodium pentathol might be used as an alternative for general anesthesia, but right now it's extremely hard to get. He said the problem is that many of these drugs are made by few companies, or only one company, so they are hard to replace when supply problems strike. The profit margins were some of the main reasons that companies quit producing in favor of drugs that bring more money to the table.

Some hospitals and dentists are now using a drug called etomidate. It is an older drug that works but it is sometimes very painful going in. Anesthesiologists are not real happy with this drug because it is much harder to intubate or use this drug for conscious sedation or general anesthesia safely. Many younger anesthesiologists have not been trained on using the drug as well. BD

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., announced today that it will launch the APP Drug Hotline on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. The APP Drug Hotline has been established to assist healthcare professionals with critical drug shortage issues.

Staffed by an experienced Customer Service team, the APP Drug Hotline is dedicated to responding to inquires from healthcare professionals seeking information on whether APP's product portfolio can augment the supply of specific drugs currently on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) drug shortage lists. APP Drug Hotline staff will provide callers with an enhanced customer service experience, which includes real-time information on APP's available supply of specific drugs currently on drug shortage, details on upcoming APP product releases, as well as help callers track their APP orders.