Coping with the Growing Prescription Drug Shortage: Tips for Managing the Situation | Lifestyle

The Worsening Prescription Drug Shortage and How to Cope With It

Drug shortages have become a growing concern in recent years, with the number of prescription medications in short supply reaching a 10-year high in the first quarter of 2024. This trend is not just about numbers, as the impact of these shortages can have serious consequences for patients and their healthcare providers.

One of the most alarming effects of drug shortages is the impact on emergency care. Hospital crash carts, used to provide critical treatment to patients in emergencies such as cardiac arrest, have been running short of essential drugs like epinephrine. This shortage forces clinicians to spend extra time measuring doses from vials, increasing the risk of medication errors and potentially life-threatening situations.

Cancer patients are also feeling the effects of drug shortages, with some having to settle for alternative chemotherapy drugs that come with much worse side effects. This can have a significant impact on their treatment outcomes and quality of life.

The shortage of essential medications is affecting all aspects of the healthcare system, from patients and families to caregivers, pharmacists, hospitals, and nursing homes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has highlighted the widespread impact of drug shortages across the healthcare system.

Some of the medications currently in short supply include quinapril for hypertension, injectable acyclovir for antiviral treatment, and propofol for general anesthesia. Patients and healthcare providers can check the availability of specific drugs through databases like the FDA Drug Shortages database or the ASHP Drug Shortages List.

The reasons behind these shortages vary, with manufacturing problems accounting for 12% of cases, sudden spikes in demand for certain drugs causing 14% of shortages, and business decisions leading to 12% of shortages. However, the most concerning reason cited by manufacturers for shortages is “unknown/would not provide,” making it difficult to find sustainable solutions to the problem.

Stakeholders in the healthcare industry have been working to address the issue of drug shortages for years. Recommendations from the ASHP include giving the FDA more power to penalize drugmakers for failing to report manufacturing and supply chain problems, as well as waiving fees for manufacturers who bring generic drugs to market promptly.

Despite the challenges posed by drug shortages, there is hope for impactful action to address the issue. Increased interest from Congress and other stakeholders is driving momentum towards finding solutions to the problem.

In the meantime, healthcare consumers can take steps to cope with drug shortages, such as refilling prescriptions early, contacting prescribers for alternative options, and developing relationships with pharmacists to help secure needed medications. By being proactive and exploring all available options, patients can better navigate the challenges posed by prescription drug shortages.