We are being asked to work with the state to keep a stock of emergency medication available in the case of an emergency.  The idea is that we stock a little more of the items we already have and rotate stock so it doesn't expire.  The state dose pay a small inventory fee and we have to agree to provide the meds when asked.

Are there any other small hospitals participating in this project?

The list is fairly long and includes some items such as 20 atropine syringes, 30 epinephrine emergency syringes, 12 glucagon, 12 labetolol, 10 nitroglycerin premix, 24 narcan 4mg, 24 solu-medrol 125mg and more.  The list is over 40 items long.  The thought is that the state would pay us $1000. to keep this stock over and above our current inventory.  That way they can maintain a stockpile that never outdates.  The problem is that the quantities in some cases exceed our annual usage as a small hospital and I am estimating an annual loss of over $5000 due to expiriation of product.

I did speak with Ruth Hursman from the division of hospital preparedness, who is overseeing this project.  It sounds like things for this project are now on hold and they are going to review the medication list and reduce it a bit.  They will then have a statewide meeting with pharmacists to get input prior to implementing.  I am happy they are going back to take a look at this.  Please watch for more details from the state as this project moves along.