The Food and Drug Administration has about 150 medications listed on it’s national drug shortage list.

Altoona Regional Health System officials said they’re bracing for a financial blow, after turning to secondary vendors for drugs in demand.

"We've had problems getting some sedative hypnotics that are used in anesthesia, antibiotics, some emergency syringes, things we use in the crash cart,” said pharmacy Director Nick Genovese. "The insurance companies do not reimburse us for that extra cost we incur, if we have to pay three and four times the cost of a medication; we have to bare that expense."

Genovese told WJAC-TV that there has been no effect on patient care beyond short delays at Altoona Hospital, yet there are growing safety concerns about the shortage of prepackaged medications in the emergency room.

"During a cardiac arrest or an M-I, the nurse will have to draw up the epinephrine into a syringe, and draw up a diluent, aggregate and then administer it. That certainly takes time,” said Genovese.

A spokeswoman at Mount Nittany Medical Center told WJAC-TV that pharmacists are spending more time dividing drug doses from larger supplies, but patients have not seen a change in day-to-day care.

Officials at Dubois Regional Medical Center said the staff is aware of the drug shortage, but the effect hasn’t been felt at the facility in Clearfield County.

The FDA blames the shortage on manufacturing delays and unexpected spikes in medication demand.