Shortage Navigator™ – AI Predicts Drug Shortages

Tag Archive: machine learning

1. Shortage Navigator™ – AI Predicts Drug Shortages

   November 29, 2023 10:58 am Leave a Comment

   New Name & Branding Reflects Major Advancements in AI & Shortage Prediction Capabilities

   
   MINNEAPOLIS Nov.29th, 2023 – LogicStream Health today announced new naming and branding for its market-leading drug shortage management software. LogicStream’s ‘Shortage Navigator’ – formerly known as The Drug Supply App from LogicStream Health™ – aligns with the cloud-based software’s powerful artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and their advanced algorithms to accurately predict drug shortages and supply vulnerabilities ahead of other sources in the market.

   
   “LogicStream’s Shortage Navigator is unique for its ability to identify drug shortages ahead of others in the market based on our proprietary AI models,” said Patrick Yoder, PharmD and LogicStream CEO. “The Shortage Navigator reveals multiple factors driving ‘true use’ of medications currently in short supply or about to become a shortage and is a primary reason hundreds of hospitals are running and relying on our software today.”

   
   Dr. Yoder said LogicStream customers running Shortage Navigator include academic medical centers, large integrated delivery networks and community hospitals geographically dispersed across the U.S. “Customers tell us often and consistently that our software is enormously helpful to pharmacy buyers and clinical teams alike as they navigate challenging complexities of persistent drug shortages while working very hard to ensure patient safety and quality care.”

   
   Dr. Yoder said LogicStream’s Shortage Navigator delivers many advanced capabilities, including automatic push notifications of new shortages and changing market conditions and helps end-users determine which shortages are likely to impact their organizations. Dr. Yoder said the software determines actual medication utilization, or true use, based on near-real-time drug dispenses and administrations to patients, and tracks inventory, days on hand, cost, and fill rates at every level from enterprise-wide to specific drug cabinets and central pharmacy devices. LogicStream’s Shortage Navigator also analyzes each shortage’s unique characteristics and produces automated, customized recommendations for how best to manage each one.

   
   “We believe our new Shortage Navigator name and branding is tightly aligned with the value and benefit our customers are experiencing as they use the software to manage drug supply disruptions,” Dr. Yoder said.

   To get ahead of drug shortages using AI, advanced analytics and specialized solutions, contact us.

2. Drug Shortages Affect Cancer Patients

   May 22, 2023 10:48 am Leave a Comment

   Drug shortages are a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for cancer patients. According to a recent report by the New York Times, many drugs that are essential for treating various types of cancer are in short supply or unavailable in the United States. This can force doctors to ration doses, delay treatments, switch to less effective alternatives, or even cancel life-saving therapies.

   The impact of drug shortages on cancer patients is alarming. According to a study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), more than 80% of oncologists surveyed in 2019 reported experiencing drug shortages that affected their patients’ care. The most commonly affected drugs were those used for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive care. The study also found that drug shortages led to increased costs, reduced access, and lower quality of care for cancer patients.

   Some of the reasons for the drug shortages include manufacturing problems, quality issues, supply chain disruptions, regulatory hurdles, and market forces. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated the situation by increasing the demand for certain drugs and reducing the production capacity of some factories. The federal government and the pharmaceutical industry have taken some steps to address the problem, but experts say more needs to be done to prevent further harm to patients and public health.

   Drug shortages are not only a problem in the United States. They are a global issue that affects many countries and regions. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of the countries surveyed in 2016 reported experiencing drug shortages that affected essential medicines, including those for cancer. The report also highlighted the need for better coordination, regulation, and monitoring of the global pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure the availability and affordability of medicines for all.

   To get ahead of drug shortages using advanced analytics and specialized solutions, contact us.

3. Drug Shortages Reach 10-year High

   May 2, 2023 2:40 pm Leave a Comment

   According to recent information by ASHP reported by Pharmacy Practice News, drug shortages have reached a 10-year high in the first quarter of 2023. There are currently 301 drugs in shortage, affecting various therapeutic areas such as chemotherapy, CNS, antimicrobials, and fluids and electrolytes. The main causes of these shortages are unknown, but some factors include supply-and-demand issues, manufacturing problems, and business decisions. These shortages have serious implications for patient care and safety, especially for those who rely on drugs that have no alternatives. ASHP and other stakeholders are working to address this issue and advocate for policies that ensure a stable and high-quality drug supply.

   If you dream of getting ahead of drug shortages, managing them more effectively, and using less of your time doing so, contact us.