July 19, 2017 | DSHS Drug Shortage Statement
DSHS is aware of drug shortages within Texas and the nation. Some of these
drugs are being used to treat patients in the prehospital setting by
emergency medical services providers.
If the department receives a complaint that a provider is using expired drugs
or expired drugs are found on an ambulance during an inspection, the
department will require the EMS organization to provide documentation from
the manufacturer and the provider’s medical director regarding the shortage
of the specific drug(s) before considering any enforcement action.
DSHS is recommending that the documentation is on an ambulance that has
expired drug(s) approved and dated by the EMS Provider medical director.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains an extensive website for
information on this topic at the following link. https://www.ashp.org/drugshortages/
current-shortages/drug-shortages-list?page=CurrentShortages
Working together the Texas EMS system will get through this drug shortage
event and any future events. If you have additional questions, please
contact your regional EMS office or the Office of EMS/Trauma Coordination.
Regional EMS Offices
Central 512-834-6700
South: 210-949-2050
East: 713-767-3333
North: 817-264-4720
Office of EMS/Trauma: 512-834-6737
