Is it better to give an expired drug to someone suffering a heart attack or nothing?  Paramedics all over the country are facing that dilemma. Paramedics with the Bend Fire Department decided several months ago expired drugs are better than no drugs. 

Tom Wright is the Bend Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services Coordinator.  “Drugs usually as they get older don't cause harm, they're just not as effective.  We were getting frustrated when talked with agencies that said, we understand your situation but wouldn't tell us what to do.  So we met with our legal team and with our insurance company.  And the insurance company backed that it’s better to give expired drugs than no drug whatsoever.” 

Wright says the drug shortage situation currently is much better than it was six months ago.  The shortage is being blamed on manufacturing delays and industry changes.