We are currently receiving unpredictable shipments of albuterol/Proventil inhalers due to manufacturer reformulation of propellants. The Department of Pharmacy Services is actively pursuing alternative suppliers and alternative inhalers, but is also currently implementing the following strategies:

• Asking patients to bring in their own inhalers;
• Communicating with nursing staff about the importance of not losing/misplacing inhalers;
• Dispensing Proventil for adults, until supply exhausted, then converting to Xopenex, should the shortage continue;
• As supplies of Proventil are received, Pharmacy will continue to dispense that product prior to Xopenex (which is currently not on Formulary);
• Alupent (metaproterenol, no further shipments available) will be reserved for pediatric patients until supply is exhausted, then converted to Proventil.

The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee will reassess this shortage on Tuesday 12/12/06. Please contact Drug Information at (310) 423-3784 for further questions/concerns.