d ) increased prescribing of codeine. Other factors contributing to the opium shortage were the ban on opium growing in Turkey and reduced production in India due to unfavorable weather conditions.
A Dutch cartel succeeded in gaining control of a significant portion of the world's supply of quinidine, which resulted in alleged shortages of this drug and subsequent price increases.
The heparin shortage resulted from increased demand and also from a short supply of the major raw material, the intestinal mucosa of the hog. This shortage occurred when the number of hogs being slaughtered was reduced.
The penicillin shortage was attributed to an 11-month shutdown of a major manufacturer's facilities for making the product.
The author points out that there is a lack of information concerning drug shortages and that no agency has the authority and responsibility to gather and apply such information. Such an agency, along with a national advisory group with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, the health professions, and government, is recommended by the author as a means to prevent shortages of essential drugs.
This book is interesting reading for anyone associated with the health professions or the pharmaceutical industry. Most of us are unaware that shortages of vital drugs have occurred and can occur in the future.