From allergies to arthritis to asthma, prednisone is prescribed for at least a dozen conditions that affect a lot of people. So it's concerning some pharmacists that nationwide drug companies are reporting shortages in the drug.
And many of those companies said they won't be able to ship out more until late this month and even late August. Some said it's because of less availability in the raw materials they use to make prednisone.
"Drug shortages are a national healthcare crisis because what we're seeing is that because of unavailability of certain medications, healthcare providers are having to rely on second or third line medications, which they may not be as familiar with," said Melinda Burnworth, a pharmacist and professor at Midwestern University.
She also said several factors can contribute to drug shortages, including large companies consolidating, drug contamination and discontinuation of medical products. She said if you are affected by this or think you might be, have a conversation with your doctor.
You can also visit these sites for more information:
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:32:27 GMT
Woman escapes attempted abduction
The 19-year-old woman was jogging in the 10800 block of E. Dynamite Road on Tuesday night and passed a car stopped on the shoulder, Scottsdale police said.More >
The 19-year-old woman was jogging in the 10800 block of E. Dynamite Road on Tuesday night and passed a car stopped on the shoulder, Scottsdale police said.More >
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:13 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:13:11 GMT
A British woman who claimed to have hit a cyclist while driving her car and then driving off tweeted about driving off and not caring much about it. But then the cops tweeted back.More >
The first rule of Twitter - it's not smart to tweet about a crime. More >
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:43 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:43:10 GMT
Saturday night's Powerball drawing
Two $1 million Powerball second-prize winning tickets were sold in Arizona from Saturday night's record-breaking jackpot. The winning tickets, which matched five out of five numbers drawn, not includingMore >
A Phoenix woman has come forward to collect her $1 million Powerball prize and says she's planning to go on a family vacation and invest the rest of her winnings.More >
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:07:04 GMT
Kirk Nurmi (Source: CBS 5 News)
Jodi Arias' attorney Kirk Nurmi has asked to withdraw from the case on two occasions. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisor's meeting on Wednesday is expected to include a vote to approve $200,000 beMore >
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisor's meeting on Wednesday is expected to include a vote to approve $200,000 be moved to help pay for defense attorney Kirk Nurmi's salary.More >
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:20:54 GMT
Amy's Baking Company
Amy's Baking Company said legal and online threats have forced it to cancel a press conference Tuesday, but that it's grand reopening will take place as planned. Owners of the Scottsdale bakery, Amy andMore >
Owners of the Scottsdale bakery decided to pull the plug on a 1 p.m. news briefing Tuesday after getting a letter from a litigation law firm representing a company that produces the TV show Kitchen Nightmares. More >
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:01 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:01:07 GMT
Tamerlan Tsarnaev
The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal studios in Orlando, FL, early Wednesday with someone it looking at in connection with Boston bombings suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev.More >
The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal studios in Orlando, FL, early Wednesday with someone it looking at in connection with Boston bombings suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev.More >
An Oregon girl abducted as a baby and missing for 18 years finally emerged in Dallas this week when her mother turned herself in to authorities, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Department. More >
An Oregon girl abducted as a baby and missing for 18 years finally emerged in Dallas this week when her mother turned herself in to authorities, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Department.More >
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:46 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:46:54 GMT
Glendale police investigate the scene of a double shooting Tuesday night.
A 36-year-old man had answered a knock at his door about 9 p.m. at his home near Grand and 59th Avenues and then shut the door on the suspect when he saw he had a gun. More >
A 36-year-old man had answered a knock at his door about 9 p.m. at his home near Grand and 59th avenues and then shut the door on the suspect when he saw he had a gun.More >
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:39 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:39:33 GMT
Israel Celis, Sr. (Source: Arizona Department of Corrections)
Israel Celis Sr. barricaded himself, the woman and children in the house near 91st and Maryland avenues after a series of events that began Monday afternoon.More >
Israel Celis Sr. barricaded himself, the woman and children in the house near 91st and Maryland avenues after a series of events that began Monday afternoon.More >
