The coronavirus pandemic has stretched hospitals and staff to the limit as they care for a massive influx of patients, including those with symptoms that require ventilators. And with that surge has come exploding demand for injectable opioid painkillers that are used to sedate patients with severe distress in order to complete intubation.
Yet the structure of the opioid market has made it extremely difficult for many hospitals to find these drugs—largely due to the opioid epidemic. Instead of focusing on low-margin injectable opioids for hospital use, pharmaceutical firms have instead catered to more lucrative, high-profit opioid pills, thereby helping fuel the opioid crisis and overdose deaths.
Another issue is the old, and fragile supply chain for injectables compared to the more reliable production and distribution of painkiller pills. As hospitals put in place strategies to cope with future pandemics, it’s time to close the gap between these two applications of the drug to ensure healthcare facilities are always prepared.
And finally, the legalization of medical marijuana has led to numerous theories about its effectiveness treating an assortment of diseases, including Parkinson’s. But a recent analysis of existing research found that pot doesn’t do much for these patients. In fact, many of the typical side effects of marijuana can exacerbate symptoms of Parkinson’s such as diminished balance and sudden drops in blood pressure, which can be especially dangerous. Pot also amplifies muddy thinking and hallucinations, the report concluded.