Study: 87% of Primary Care Providers Say Drug Shortages Lower Quality of Care
A new survey found that about 87% believe ongoing drug shortages negatively affect the quality of patient care, forcing clinicians to alter their drug of choice or delay prescribing when preferred medications aren’t available. Nearly 9 in 10 providers reported experiencing shortages in the past six months. Clinical implications: clinicians may need to adjust treatment plans more frequently and discuss less ideal therapeutic options with patients, which could affect outcomes for chronic and acute conditions. Additionally, heightened vigilance in monitoring for adverse effects or reduced efficacy of substitute medications is essential when standard drugs are unavailable. Full Access: CIDRAP
Clinical Practice Guideline by Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA): 2025 Guideline on Management and Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: Timing of Intravenous to Oral Antibiotics Transition for Complicated UTI.
The 2025 IDSA guideline updates management of complicated UTIs, emphasizing early transition from IV to oral antibiotics for clinically improving patients and recommending shorter treatment durations (5–7 days for most agents). Clinical implications: Early oral step-down can reduce hospital stays and IV complications, and shorter courses support antimicrobial stewardship without compromising outcomes. Full Access: IDSA
Diphenhydramine, Sodium Bicarbonate, or Combination for Acute Peripheral Vertigo. A Randomized Clinical Trial
The randomized clinical trial compared intravenous diphenhydramine, intravenous sodium bicarbonate, and their combination for treating acute peripheral vertigo in adults presenting to the emergency department. The study found that the combination of diphenhydramine and sodium bicarbonate provided greater improvement in vertigo severity at 60 minutes and reduced the need for rescue medication compared with diphenhydramine alone, while sodium bicarbonate alone had similar efficacy to diphenhydramine. Sedation was more common with diphenhydramine, and injection discomfort was higher with sodium bicarbonate. Clinical implications: Combination therapy may offer more effective symptomatic relief for acute peripheral vertigo in the ED setting. Additionally, choosing regimens with fewer sedative effects could improve patient comfort and safety during acute management. Full Access: JAMA
The US Food and Drug Administration’s Regulation of Mifepristone
The article highlights how regulatory actions were informed primarily by safety and efficacy evidence despite sustained political and legal scrutiny. The authors describe key changes to the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), including adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical implications: the findings support that mifepristone has a strong safety profile consistent with its current approved use. The analysis also helps clinicians understand regulatory requirements and anticipate how future policy shifts may affect patient access and prescribing practices. Full Access: JAMA