Read this article from Long-Term Living to find out why there is a dire shortage of the narcotic medications that are used regularly in the treatment of long-term care and hospice patients.

In a letter to Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ASCP states concerns regarding a severe, nationwide shortage of appropriate narcotic pain medication for patients in nursing homes and in hospice care.

The drug formulation that is most at issue is morphine sulfate 20mg/ml oral concentrate. This drug, which has been on the market for decades, is used in long-term care because end-of life patients have trouble swallowing and the concentrated formulation is needed to avoid choking and to facilitate sublingual and buccal administration.

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