While some desperate hospitals have set up parking lot compounding shops to help with drug sourcing, a group of health care providers is taking a more substantial approach, teaming up to manufacture and sell generic drugs at cheaper prices than industry firms have been doing. In a Jan. 18 announcement, Intermountain Health Care Inc., Ascension, SSM Health and Trinity Health said they will form their own non-profit generic drug maker to address shortages and price hikes that have plagued hospitals and patients.
Utah-based, non-profit Intermountain Healthcare will lead the effort, joined by SSM and Trinity (both Catholic) and faith-based Ascension, and the consortium will benefit from unspecified "consultation" by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
The four health care providers – which together comprise 280 hospitals along with a host of senior living facilities, health clinics, physicians' offices, outpatient care sites and post-acute facilities – are seeking other sponsoring partners, Fierens said, with discussions ongoing
