Since 2009, six prominent US sterile-injectable drug makers have received FDA warnings regarding manufacturing procedures. As a result, the manufacturing capacity for injectables has been reduced by almost one-third, according to a congressional report. Four of the firms shut down or decreased production to address the issues. Compounding pharmacies have attempted to provide the products, but have faced similar issues. Interrupting production can be expensive because the many of the drugs are low cost and require high volumes to maintain profits. Companies that have been affected include Teva, Hospira and Boehringer Ingelheim’s Ben Venue subsidiary. Hospira said that it will invest as much as $375 million to meet FDA regulations, while Ben Venue is spending more than $300 million to fix its facility. New or revamped facilities can take three to five years to open.

Source: The New York Times