Ethical Implications of a Tiered Lottery Allocation Schema in a Pain Medication Shortage

Authors

Austin Johnson, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Michael Balce, Corewell Health Resident
Roy Soto, Corewell Health

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-20-2024

Abstract

A 60-year-old homeless male with a history of trauma from a recent construction accident presented to a community health center’s no-cost pharmacy with a prescription for opioids to treat his nonspecific arthralgia. However, the pharmacy had a limited supply of opiate medications due to a nationwide shortage from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it had implemented a tiered lottery allocation schema for pain medication dispersal based on emergent needs and clinical history. We will discuss the positive and negative implications of this system for medication allocation through the lens of the four principles of clinical ethics: beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice.

Comments

American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, October 18-22, 2024, Philadelphia, PA

Recommended Citation

Johnson A, Balce M, Soto R. Ethical implications of a tiered lottery allocation schema in a pain medication shortage. Presented at: American Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting; 2024 Oct 20; Philadelphia, PA. Available from:https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/20183/presentation/7923