Episode 47: August 7, 2019 - IVIG Shortage

Facing the challenges of managing the IVIG shortage? Listen as IgNS leaders, James Sheets and Luba Sobolevsky discuss the current shortage of IVIG and learn how nurses and care teams can help their patients.

James L. Sheets, PharmD

Founder & CEO, CSI Pharmacy

James L. Sheets, PharmD, is the founder & CEO of CSI Pharmacy. He is passionate about developing clinical programs that add value to the home care setting for infusion patients. He earned his doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy. His pharmacy experience includes practice in community, hospital, nuclear, compounding, and the home infusion settings. James has more than 15 years of experience working with immune globulin (Ig) therapy and administration in the home. He is an active member of the Immunoglobulin National Society (IgNS), serving on the Ig therapy standards and leadership committees. He also serves as an advisory board member for the Myasthenia Gravis Hope Foundation, Evolve Biologics, and Vizient’s Alternate Site Pharmacy Committee. 

​Luba Sobolevsky, PharmD

Executive Director, Immunoglobulin National Society

Luba Sobolevsky, PharmD, is the executive director of Immunoglobulin National Society, a professional association dedicated to the advancement of Ig therapy practice. In her role, Luba oversees development of systematic, advanced education; standards of practice; certification; professional resources; awareness; and advocacy. Luba holds a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Southern California. Her expertise spans various fields in health care, including clinical, pharmaceutical, and educational development.

Host: Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI® – INS Infusion Nurse Educator

Guests: 
• Luba Sobolevsky, PharmD
• James L. Sheets, PharmD

Immunoglobulin (Ig) is an indispensable therapy used to treat a variety of autoimmune, immunodeficiency, hematologic, and other disorders. Ig is a plasma-derived therapy that originates with healthy human donors. Production of Ig can take up to 12 months from the time plasma is donated to the time the product is released to market. Forecasting availability of Ig is complicated by the lengthy production cycle, volume of plasma donations, product demand, as well as regulatory or other manufacturing challenges. Listen as Luba Sobolevsky and James Sheets discuss the current Ig supply issues and learn approaches to safe patient management in this challenging time. 

Resources:
https://ig-ns.org/ 
http://www.donatingplasma.org/ 

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