Staying ahead of product shortages and market disruptions is a constant challenge for hospitals, surgery centers, and specialty practices. TCC Pharma shares frequent and timely updates on recalls, trending product requests, and availability insights to help your team plan ahead and keep patient care moving forward.
This month, ophthalmic products are a major focus, along with several injectable medications that are creating sourcing challenges nationwide.
Fluorescein Ophthalmic Strips – Recall and Ongoing Shortage
Recent recalls of multiple fluorescein ophthalmic strip products have caused a widespread shortage. At this time, these strips are difficult to source, and availability remains limited throughout the industry.
Manufacturers and distributors are working toward recovery, but extended backorders are expected in the near term. We are actively monitoring the market and pursuing replenishment opportunities as they arise.
If your facility relies on fluorescein strips and would like to be added to our notification list for future availability, our team can keep you informed as soon as stock becomes available. Please reach out to us at salessupport@tccpharma.com to be added to our notification list.
Potential Workaround Options
If your clinicians are open to alternatives, TCC Pharma can help identify options that fit your needs and ensure fast delivery.
While fluorescein strips remain in short supply, combination fluorescein and benoxinate ophthalmic drops have become a commonly used alternative for many facilities. These products are currently available and can ship quickly to help bridge the gap created by the shortage.
VisionBlue and TissueBlue Availability
Many ophthalmic departments have also experienced supply challenges with VisionBlue and TissueBlue products in recent months.
At the time of publishing, we are pleased to report that both items are currently available through TCC Pharma with product available to immediately ship. For customers with ongoing usage needs, we also offer the ability to reserve stock and establish consistent ordering programs to prevent future disruptions.
If you are interested in setting up a standing supply arrangement, simply share your approximate monthly usage, and our team will help create a plan tailored to your facility.
Hospital Supply Chain Update
Medication shortages are only one part of today’s healthcare supply challenges. Many hospitals are also facing limited availability of essential medical supplies, procedural products, and diagnostic items.
Over the past several weeks, TCC Pharma has received a growing number of requests from supply chain departments looking for help locating everyday products that have suddenly become difficult to obtain.
Products in High Demand Right Now
Some of the most frequently requested non-pharmaceutical products we are currently assisting hospitals with include:
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Contrast agents used in imaging departments, particularly higher volume presentations
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Pharmacy syringe trays and sterile syringe components
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Disposable ear speculums
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Cystoscopy irrigation sets and related accessories
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IV cannulas and needles
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Sterile surgical gowns
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Waterless surgical scrub solutions
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Forced air warming blankets
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Specialized feeding pump sets
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High-level disinfectants and sporicidal cleaning solutions
Many of these products have experienced intermittent backorders from primary suppliers, emphasizing the need for reliable secondary sourcing.
Special Update for Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Ambulatory Surgery Centers continue to feel the impact of ongoing medication shortages, particularly within ophthalmology and anesthesia-related products. Over the past several weeks, many of our ASC partners have reached out for help sourcing essential procedure medications.
If your facility has been struggling to obtain key drugs lately, you are not alone. Our team is actively supporting centers nationwide with fast-turnaround availability checks and alternative sourcing options.
Current Areas of Focus for ASCs
The most common categories creating challenges for surgery centers right now include:
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Ophthalmic medications impacted by recent recalls
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Local anesthetics
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Corticosteroids
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Contrast media
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Emergency and procedural injectables
Fluorescein ophthalmic strips remain one of the most significant issues following multiple recalls. As noted earlier, these strips are currently unavailable across much of the market. Many ASCs have successfully transitioned to fluorescein/benoxinate ophthalmic solution as a temporary alternative while the strip supply recovers.
VisionBlue and TissueBlue products are also top requests from ophthalmology centers. We are currently able to support quick shipments of both items and can help facilities reserve inventory for ongoing needs.
Frequently Requested ASC Products
In addition to ophthalmic items, we are seeing consistent demand from ASCs for medications such as:
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Acetazolamide vials
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Azithromycin injections
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Betamethasone combination injections
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Bicillin formulations
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Contrast agents used in imaging procedures
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Lidocaine in multiple strengths and presentations
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Indocyanine green
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Methylprednisolone and triamcinolone products
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Metoprolol injection
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Surgical prep and infection prevention supplies
Availability for many of these products can change rapidly. Some are experiencing intermittent backorders, while others are in more severe shortage situations that require proactive planning.
Other Trending Shortages and High-Demand Products
Beyond ophthalmology, we continue to see elevated demand and limited supply for a variety of hospital medications. Some of the most frequently requested items this month include:
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Injectable antibiotics such as azithromycin and doxycycline
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Bicillin formulations
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Certain contrast media products
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Injectable metoprolol
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Premixed emergency medications
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Premarin injection
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TICE BCG
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Tigan injection
Several of these products are experiencing severe shortages nationwide. If any of these medications are part of your critical inventory, we recommend proactive planning and early communication with your suppliers.
TCC Pharma maintains active notification lists for many hard-to-source items. If there is a product you are struggling to obtain, let us know, and we can alert you as soon as availability changes.
Veterinary Market Update
Veterinary hospitals and specialty practices are facing many of the same supply chain challenges as human healthcare facilities. Product demand continues to fluctuate, and certain medications commonly used in animal health are consistently difficult to source.
This month, we are seeing especially high request volume for ophthalmic supplies, injectable corticosteroids, contrast agents, and several critical care medications used in emergency and specialty veterinary settings.
Trending Veterinary Products
Some of the most frequently requested items from veterinary customers right now include:
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Schirmer Tear Test strips
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Hetastarch
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Continuous glucose monitoring systems, such as Freestyle Libre
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Contrast agents for imaging
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Kenalog and other triamcinolone acetonide products
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Ondansetron
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Aranesp
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Various injectable fluids and irrigation solutions
Availability for many of these products can change quickly from week to week. Our team monitors these trends closely and works to secure inventory as soon as opportunities arise.
How TCC Pharma Can Help
For more than two decades, TCC Pharma has specialized in helping healthcare providers navigate complex pharmaceutical supply challenges. Licensed in 45 states, we focus on sourcing commercially available medications and medical supplies that are backordered, allocated, or difficult to find.
We do not supply controlled or compounded substances, but we can assist with virtually any other pharmaceutical or medical supply need. Our mission is simple: to shorten the supply chain and minimize disruption to patient care.
Whether you need immediate help locating a product, want to be added to a notification list, or are looking for a consistent secondary supplier, our team is ready to help.
Stay Connected
If you are experiencing shortages with any medications or supplies not mentioned here, reach out to us anytime. We are constantly tracking new supply issues and may already have solutions in progress.
Look for our next monthly update as we continue to share important market insights and availability news. If you’d like to be added to our mailing list to receive more specific, timely updates on shortages, product availability, and pricing, please reach out to us at salessupport@tccpharma.com or sign up here.
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