Global medication shortages rose after 2021 and reached record levels in early 2024, with 323 active drug shortages reported in the United States in the first quarter of 2024.

Shortages in 2021–2024 affected many drug classes used in hospitals and pharmacies, including sterile injectable generics, cancer chemotherapy agents, emergency medicines, ADHD treatments, and commonly used antibiotics and diabetes drugs.

High-demand diabetes drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic were explicitly reported as being in short supply because of unprecedented demand.

Hospitals and clinics have had to divert patients and ration some chemotherapy and other treatments because of these shortages.

Some countries experienced shortages of common medicines such as paracetamol during COVID-19 and winter flu surges, affecting both prescription and over-the-counter supplies.

Reports and expert analysis attribute most shortages to manufacturing and quality problems, supply-chain gaps and downtime, and in some cases increased demand, rather than a single cause.

Industry consolidation, reduced transparency about active-ingredient sources, and shortages of raw materials were also cited as contributing factors to supply collapses.

In some national systems, procurement problems, delayed supplier payments, poor budget forecasting, and weak coordination within health ministries worsened hospital stockouts.

Health systems coped by rationing and diverting treatments, and by switching patients to different strengths, brands, or therapeutic alternatives when available.

Pharmacies and clinicians advised practical patient measures such as checking national shortage lists, refilling earlier than usual, checking multiple pharmacies, and using coupon or savings programs for alternative products.

Some large health systems placed large proactive orders when shortages loomed, a behavior that can unintentionally increase stress on supplies.

Policy responses discussed in reports included calls for greater transparency from manufacturers, expanded regulatory authority to monitor supply risks, and proposed federal investment to address shortages over the coming decade.

The White House proposed multi‑billion-dollar spending to mitigate national drug shortages and lawmakers and professional associations urged more disclosure and supply‑chain diversity.

Professional groups such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists have engaged with government and called for congressional action to require manufacturer transparency and to diversify suppliers.

Shortages led to higher prices for drugs on shortage lists, increasing costs for patients and health systems.

Recommended operational remedies in the reporting included improved budget forecasting, stronger procurement and payment processes, better coordination among health agencies and suppliers, and efforts to increase domestic manufacturing capacity and supplier diversity.

If you care for someone dependent on life‑saving medicines, check national shortage lists, speak with your pharmacist and GP about therapeutic alternatives early, refill prescriptions before supplies run low, and be prepared to search multiple pharmacies.

Global medication shortages rose after 2021 and reached record levels in early 2024, with 323 active drug shortages reported in the United States in the first quarter of 2024.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
An Unexpected Catastrophe in the World ’ s Largest Country: The Complete Story of U.S. Drug Shortages
The deficit is at a record level.
According to data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service, organizations began tracking drug shortages for the first time in 2001. Steady since 2021 – now reaching a record high of 323 drugs in the first three months of 2024.
Paul Abramowitz, CEO of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, wrote in a blog post on Thursday: “It ’ s been a long time to end drug shortages, ” and wrote:“ All drug classes are vulnerable to shortages, some of the most worrisome shortages include sterile injectable generic drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency drugs stored in hospital vans and procedural areas. It is dangerous for doctors and patients. ”
In addition to the 32 chemotherapy drugs that are deficient, the five categories of drugs with the greatest deficiency include central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormonal agents, and intravenous fluids. [1] The Drug Deficiency Database maintained by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah is based on voluntary reports from practitioners, patients, and others that have been confirmed by manufacturers. The U.S. drug is in short supply, because it captures broader effects on service providers and patients.
The crisis has lasted a year and a half.
More than half of the treatment shortages have lasted for more than two years, according to an analysis by health consultancy IQVIA, and the average shortage affects at least half a million patients, many of them elderly, according to the US Office of Health and Human Services under the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, which shared its analysis with Congress in May.
Growing demand can play a role in drug shortages, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but often manufacturing and quality problems, such as supply chain gaps and downtime, are the root cause. And varied.
But the American Society of Health System Pharmacists has “serious concerns ” about parts of this proposal, especially financial sanctions imposed on hospitals that lack the resources to comply with the recommendations, Abramowitz wrote:“ We all know that managing shortages is not enough and is not a sustainable solution to the worsening crisis, and there is still a lot of work to be done at the federal level to fix the root causes of drug shortages. ”
Why Shortage Occurs
Shortages can be caused by high demand, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but this is not usually the main problem.
The FDA also blames manufacturing and quality problems, supply chain gaps, and downtime, and Dr. Emily Tucker, a drug shortage expert and an assistant professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University, says that when there is an indication of shortages, large health systems often also proactively place large orders, adding to the system ’ s stress.
“I don ’ t blame anyone.
“When I talk to all the stakeholders – whether it ’ s wholesalers, manufacturers, or the government – everyone wants this problem to end, ” she said.
Lack of transparency
Dr. Julie Grallo, chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, told the House Committee earlier that the shortage puts providers in a terrible position: “The drug shortage crisis is forcing providers to make impossible choices, and it is also hindering the development of new drugs. Health drugs are purchased only on a price basis, and manufacturers do not have to disclose the source of their acquisition of the ingredients.
The shortage of this generic chemical drug came due to the closure of one factory in India that manufactures the active ingredient after a surprise FDA inspection found “significant quality issues, ” says Jarallo:“ We didn ’ t know, and there was no transparency regarding the company ’ s supply of the majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients to all manufacturers across the board.
Knowing this in advance, we could have responded much faster, ” Dr. Steven Schundlemeyer, director of the PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy, which focuses on economic and management issues, told the committee that as with defense contractors in the United States, New Zealand requires manufacturers to disclose their suppliers, and that information is required.
Easily accessible in the database.
Related Topics

Title:

Content: Meitu
The first quarter of the United States serious drug shortage 323 drugs urgent cancer patients also have to be diverted and rationed!
CHU HENG NETWORK NEWS CENTER 2024-04-16 10: 42
According to the latest data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Center for Drug Information Services, a total of 323 drugs in the United States were in severe shortages in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the record of 320 in 2014.
Among the drugs affected are the widely used diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro, the allergy treatment drug adrenaline, the common antibiotic amoxicillin for children, chemotherapy drugs and injections commonly used in hospitals in intensive care.
ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz said in a statement that almost all categories of drugs are facing shortages, with non-patented sterile injectable drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs, and emergency drugs stored in hospital emergency vans and operating areas, the shortage of such drugs is the most worrying.
According to the American Cancer Society, chemotherapy is one of the top five drugs most affected by the shortage, which threatens to have a devastating impact on patients, and some hospitals and clinics say doctors have had to divert patients to ration their medications because of a shortage of some chemotherapy drugs.
In addition, ASHP noted that the continued nationwide shortage of ADHD drugs is “a problem for clinicians and patients. ”
The shortage of popular drugs is even more acute, with Mounjaro, the diabetes drug known as the “slimming pill ”, already in dire straits.
In response, Lilly said that the “unprecedented surge in demand ” for Mounjaro and its similar drug Zepbound has led to a shortage in the market, which the company is struggling to cope with.
Lilly is ramping up investments to boost production at Mounjaro and Zepbound in the second half of 2024.
The company said it expects intermittent supply disruptions in the near term due to unprecedented demand.
How to cure the drug shortage
The last major “drug shortage ” in U.S. history occurred in 2014, and it has only been alleviated in the years since.
Since 2021, the drug shortage situation seems to be increasing, and scholars in the field of medical health and economics in the United States believe that the reason for most drug shortages in the United States is the fragmentation of the drug supply chain.
The White House this month proposed spending between $3.26 billion and $5.11 billion over the next decade to help address the nation ’ s drug shortage.
The bill requires approval and funding from the U.S. Congress.
U.S. researchers and policymakers believe that a complete solution to the “drug shortage ” may require changes to the business model of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, including measures to increase the price of generic drugs to attract more drug manufacturers.
Policymakers recommend giving the FDA more power to access more information about drug shortages and impending shortages.
Currently, the FDA relies primarily on phone calls to manufacturers asking if they can increase their supply to understand the situation.
The American Society of Health System Pharmacists said it is working with the federal government to advise the government on measures to address the drug shortage, including that Congress should require manufacturers to be more transparent on any supply chain issues and encourage more diversity in supply chains.
According to Abramowitz, “The federal government still has a lot of work to do to fundamentally address drug shortages, and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists will continue to engage regularly with policymakers to guide them in drafting and passing new legislation to address drug shortages and continue to advocate vigorously for proven solutions on behalf of our members. ”

Shortages in 2021–2024 affected many drug classes used in hospitals and pharmacies, including sterile injectable generics, cancer chemotherapy agents, emergency medicines, ADHD treatments, and commonly used antibiotics and diabetes drugs.

High-demand diabetes drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic were explicitly reported as being in short supply because of unprecedented demand.

Hospitals and clinics have had to divert patients and ration some chemotherapy and other treatments because of these shortages.

Some countries experienced shortages of common medicines such as paracetamol during COVID-19 and winter flu surges, affecting both prescription and over-the-counter supplies.

Title:

Content: Ireland has been suffering a paracetamol shortage as cases of Covid-19 and the winter flu in the country soared over the festive and new year period.

The revelation was made by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly after his department received notification of a supply issue from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

It is understood the shortage impacted some prescription paracetamol products.

Read More:Irish people complain of ‘worst ever’ winter bug sweeping country that feels like Covid but isn’t

Two suppliers affected have stated that resupply will be sometime in January 2023.

However, there are other prescription paracetamol suppliers with some stock available on the shelves.

Paracetamol is one of the medicines used most often in Ireland and especially for the flu, aches and pain.

But Mr Donnelly pointed out that there are multiple forms of the drug with different strengths and brands available from various sources.

He said: "In the event that there are some supply issues for individual medicines, alternative options such as alternative strengths and brands, generic medicines will usually be available to ensure continuity of treatment.

"In some cases where the medicine initially prescribed for the patient is unavailable, patients may be switched to a suitable therapeutic alternative following appropriate consultation with a healthcare professional."

The Health Minister said medicine shortages have been increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade. The causes of such shortages are multifactorial including shortage of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties and industry consolidations.

He stated: "Medicine shortages can originate at any point in the supply chain. They can involve and impact many stakeholders in different ways as the supply models and clinical use of therapies can vary across national health systems.

"Management of medicines shortages necessitates a multi-faceted, multi stakeholder response to ensure patient safety , continuity of care and protection of public health.

"Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medical shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare [professionals] involved in their care."

Mr Donnelly was responding to a number of written Dail questions on the shortage of medicines.

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Reports and expert analysis attribute most shortages to manufacturing and quality problems, supply-chain gaps and downtime, and in some cases increased demand, rather than a single cause.

Title:

Content: Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices

Reporter: Andryanna Sheppard
Published: Updated:
Lea este artículo en Noticias WINK

Millions of people in the United States depend on prescription drugs to manage pain, treat medical conditions, and even to help them stay alive. However, the country’s drug shortage is making it hard for some people to get the medication they need or pay for the drugs that are available.

Federal Drug Administration data shows 90 percent of prescriptions in the US are for generic drugs. According to the National Institutes of Health, most prescription drugs involved in shortages are generic options.

There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s prescription drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.

Jessica Kahn’s two sons were diagnosed with ADD.

“I would say tricky, tricky to navigate,” Kahn described.

For the past year, Kahn said getting their medication has been frustrating.

“I have my list of all the pharmacies. I’ve even driven all the way up north to Walgreens or a CVS, some random place to go pick up a kids’ prescription,” Kahn added.

According to the FDA, prescription drug shortages are often linked to manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. Two drugs used in chemotherapy, Adderall, lidocaine, and amoxicillin are just a couple of the prescription medications on the shortage list.

When drug supplies are low, prices tend to increase. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is a 16.6 percent increase in the price of drugs involved in a shortage. And in some cases, alternative drugs were priced at least three times higher.

“You got to be very conscientious that it might not be available and that it is not an option,” Kahn advised. “No matter how many places you call, it’s not there.”

Beating the prescription drug shortage

Health experts offer these tips:

  • Check the national drug shortage list for your medication and possible alternatives.
  • Don’t wait until your prescription is almost gone to refill it.
  • Check other pharmacies for availability and if you can’t find the generic version, look for coupons or programs that offer payment help. Some patients have reported that they receive additional help to reduce some prescription costs from $100 to $10, it’s not allowed if you are already on Medicare.
  • Websites and apps like GoodRX, RX Saver and WellRX can help you find the cheapest place that has your medication and coupons for it.

Contributors to this news report include: Lindsay Dailey, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.

Industry consolidation, reduced transparency about active-ingredient sources, and shortages of raw materials were also cited as contributing factors to supply collapses.

In some national systems, procurement problems, delayed supplier payments, poor budget forecasting, and weak coordination within health ministries worsened hospital stockouts.

Title:

Content: Lack of medicines in MOH hospitals and accumulation of indebtedness Repercussions / solutions
3 hours ago
Dr. Naeem Malkawi
The problem of shortage of medicines in Jordanian hospitals requires quick and effective attention and intervention, as providing medicines to patients is one of the foundations of quality health care and one of the most important strategies of the Ministry of Health, however, the shortage of medicines in many hospitals leads to health, economic and social challenges that threaten the quality of health care and patient safety.
The budget of the Ministry of Health of medicines, vaccines, vaccines and medical consumables for this year 2023 was estimated at 103.75 million dinars, where the actual for the past year 2022 was 93.8 million dinars.
The question is, how did the Ministry of Health accumulate such a large indebtedness in the item of medicines to reach 300 million dinars for pharmaceutical companies?
And why last week was the debt of 2019 cleared and deducted estimated at 50% of the debt for that year?
This means that there is still a delay in the payment of dues for companies for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 in addition to eight months of the current year 2023, and this brings us to a range of reasons and challenges:
1.
The aim of the Ministry of Health was to reduce the bureaucracy of procedures and overcome the complexity of procurement references in hospitals and health directorates in the governorates and not to obtain price and discount preferences, but the results indicate a defect in the management and mechanism of dealing with the strategy of unified and central procurement, despite the margin for hospital administrations to use the power of direct purchase in cases of necessity.
2.
Preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals: Evidence shows that there is a problem in the preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals and the main budget of the Ministry of Health with regard to the item of medicines, which is due to the lack of accurate and sufficient data on the number of patients and hospital needs of medicines, and the lack of accurate forecasting of future needs.
3.
Delays in the review of financial claims and invoices between the Ministry of Health and the hospitals on the one hand and the pharmaceutical companies on the other hand, is one of the most important reasons behind the accumulation of indebtedness, and this negatively affects the liquidity of the pharmaceutical companies and hinders them from providing a sustainable service in adhering to the procedures of supplying medicines according to schedule.
4.
Lack of coordination and communication: There may be a lack of coordination and communication between hospitals, the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies, which complicates the supply and distribution of medicines and increases the chances of delays and the depletion of medicines from hospitals in the absence of an effective policy for stock management and the time required for stock adequacy.
5.
Focusing on the trade names of certain drugs from specific production sources and not adopting the protocol of writing the scientific name for the prescriptions of patients.
6.
One of the reasons that may be major and important at the same time is the funding aspect and the lack of the necessary allocations or use them in other aspects other than medicines to fill a deficit or emergency during the use of budget items due to the scarcity of available liquidity. Medication.
Lack of medication can lead to:
1.
Threat to patient safety: Lack of medication puts sick people at risk, as this can lead to delays in receiving necessary treatment or the unavailability of vital drugs, putting their lives at risk.
2.
Economic Implications: The lack of medicines entails additional economic costs for the health system and patients.
Medical cases may be referred to other medical centers or private hospitals, increasing pressure on other MOH budget items.
3.
Pressure on health care workers: Health care workers are under pressure as a result of dealing with patients affected by drug shortages and repeatedly facing their inquiries and complaints.
4.
Social repercussions:
Increased anxiety and stress: A lack of medication can lead to an increase in anxiety and stress among patients and their families, as they live in uncertainty about the availability of the necessary treatment.
Lack of medication can affect the level of trust in the health system among citizens, who may feel that the system is unable to provide them with adequate health care.
Increased costs and social burdens: Some patients may have to incur additional costs to obtain drugs from other sources outside hospitals, affecting their financial and economic status.
After all this narrative there must be ways to overcome these dilemmas:
1.
Preparation of budgets scientifically and professionally: Hospitals should develop more accurate standards for the preparation of sub-budgets for medicines, through the analysis of previous data, estimation of future needs and other scientific and methodological foundations in the preparation of budgets and commitment to apply them accurately.
2.
Improve coordination and communication between parties: Coordination between the Ministry of Health, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies should be strengthened through the establishment of structured mechanisms for information exchange, review of invoices, and completion of claims, and not delay them.
3.
Implementation of fiscal reforms: The Government and the Ministry of Health should implement fiscal reforms that provide funding to cover this important item and pay dues in a timely manner, reduce bureaucracy in the financial audit process, and proceed with payment procedures within the timetable mechanism agreed in the tender terms.
4.
Achieving social responsibility: The government and pharmaceutical companies should adopt a social responsibility towards patients by providing these drugs and reducing their prices in the market to make them more accessible to patients while relieving part of the pressure and burden on hospitals.
Addressing the problem of drug shortages in government hospitals requires comprehensive cooperation between all concerned parties from government, Ministry of Health, hospitals, drug suppliers and patients.
To provide medicines on a permanent basis and to ensure the provision of high quality health care to the Jordanian patient.

Health systems coped by rationing and diverting treatments, and by switching patients to different strengths, brands, or therapeutic alternatives when available.

Pharmacies and clinicians advised practical patient measures such as checking national shortage lists, refilling earlier than usual, checking multiple pharmacies, and using coupon or savings programs for alternative products.

Some large health systems placed large proactive orders when shortages loomed, a behavior that can unintentionally increase stress on supplies.

Policy responses discussed in reports included calls for greater transparency from manufacturers, expanded regulatory authority to monitor supply risks, and proposed federal investment to address shortages over the coming decade.

The White House proposed multi‑billion-dollar spending to mitigate national drug shortages and lawmakers and professional associations urged more disclosure and supply‑chain diversity.

Title:

Content: American Pharmacists Association Announces Record Shortages of All Types of Medicines in U.S.
World News
Copy Link https: / / en.rt.com / xcc5
The American Pharmacists Association has expressed concern about the record shortage of all types of drugs in the United States, calling on politicians to take action.
A statement posted on the association ’ s website said: “In the first half of this year, 323 active drug shortages were recorded.
It is a record higher than the previous record of 320 in 2014.
“At the federal level, significant work needs to be done to eliminate the root causes of drug shortages. ”
The statement added that particular concern was raised by the lack of sterile injectable drugs, including chemotherapy drugs for cancer and emergency medicines stored in hospital treatment rooms.
Another serious problem is the ongoing lack of treatment methods for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the country.
Source: Novosti
Agree.
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Professional groups such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists have engaged with government and called for congressional action to require manufacturer transparency and to diversify suppliers.

Shortages led to higher prices for drugs on shortage lists, increasing costs for patients and health systems.

Recommended operational remedies in the reporting included improved budget forecasting, stronger procurement and payment processes, better coordination among health agencies and suppliers, and efforts to increase domestic manufacturing capacity and supplier diversity.

If you care for someone dependent on life‑saving medicines, check national shortage lists, speak with your pharmacist and GP about therapeutic alternatives early, refill prescriptions before supplies run low, and be prepared to search multiple pharmacies.


In Q1 2024 the United States had 323 drugs in severe shortage, a record high.

Affected U.S. products included Ozempic and Mounjaro, adrenaline, pediatric amoxicillin, chemotherapy agents and other sterile injectables.

Analyses attributed shortages to supply‑chain fragmentation, manufacturing and quality problems, raw‑material gaps, downtime, and surges in demand.

Hospitals and clinics reported diverting and rationing some chemotherapy patients because of shortages.

The White House proposed $3.26–$5.11 billion over the next decade to help address U.S. drug shortages and experts urged greater manufacturer transparency and expanded FDA authority.

Ireland experienced prescription paracetamol supply issues during the 2022–23 winter surge and authorities advised using alternative strengths, brands or therapeutic substitutes.

Taiwan faced its worst drug shortage in 30 years after COVID disruptions, raw‑material shortages linked to the Russia‑Ukraine war, shipping cost spikes, and market exits following price cuts.

Jordanian Ministry of Health hospitals reported medicine shortages and large accumulated debts due to budgeting shortfalls, procurement centralization issues, delayed supplier payments, and weak coordination.

In Nigeria inflation and currency devaluation pushed drug prices sharply higher, causing patients to self‑medicate, use traditional remedies, or buy only part of prescribed treatments.

Hospitals in Nigeria reported negotiating bills, giving discounts, cutting some fees, engaging staff, and fearing staff losses to retain services under rising operating and transport costs.

Manufacturers such as Lilly said unprecedented demand for Mounjaro (and related products) caused shortages and announced plans to increase production.

Shortages raised prices for affected generics and in some cases alternatives cost several times more, increasing patient financial burden.

In Q1 2024 the United States had 323 drugs in severe shortage, a record high.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
An Unexpected Catastrophe in the World ’ s Largest Country: The Complete Story of U.S. Drug Shortages
The deficit is at a record level.
According to data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service, organizations began tracking drug shortages for the first time in 2001. Steady since 2021 – now reaching a record high of 323 drugs in the first three months of 2024.
Paul Abramowitz, CEO of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, wrote in a blog post on Thursday: “It ’ s been a long time to end drug shortages, ” and wrote:“ All drug classes are vulnerable to shortages, some of the most worrisome shortages include sterile injectable generic drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency drugs stored in hospital vans and procedural areas. It is dangerous for doctors and patients. ”
In addition to the 32 chemotherapy drugs that are deficient, the five categories of drugs with the greatest deficiency include central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormonal agents, and intravenous fluids. [1] The Drug Deficiency Database maintained by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the University of Utah is based on voluntary reports from practitioners, patients, and others that have been confirmed by manufacturers. The U.S. drug is in short supply, because it captures broader effects on service providers and patients.
The crisis has lasted a year and a half.
More than half of the treatment shortages have lasted for more than two years, according to an analysis by health consultancy IQVIA, and the average shortage affects at least half a million patients, many of them elderly, according to the US Office of Health and Human Services under the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, which shared its analysis with Congress in May.
Growing demand can play a role in drug shortages, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but often manufacturing and quality problems, such as supply chain gaps and downtime, are the root cause. And varied.
But the American Society of Health System Pharmacists has “serious concerns ” about parts of this proposal, especially financial sanctions imposed on hospitals that lack the resources to comply with the recommendations, Abramowitz wrote:“ We all know that managing shortages is not enough and is not a sustainable solution to the worsening crisis, and there is still a lot of work to be done at the federal level to fix the root causes of drug shortages. ”
Why Shortage Occurs
Shortages can be caused by high demand, as with the recent shortage of weight-loss drugs, but this is not usually the main problem.
The FDA also blames manufacturing and quality problems, supply chain gaps, and downtime, and Dr. Emily Tucker, a drug shortage expert and an assistant professor of industrial engineering at Clemson University, says that when there is an indication of shortages, large health systems often also proactively place large orders, adding to the system ’ s stress.
“I don ’ t blame anyone.
“When I talk to all the stakeholders – whether it ’ s wholesalers, manufacturers, or the government – everyone wants this problem to end, ” she said.
Lack of transparency
Dr. Julie Grallo, chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, told the House Committee earlier that the shortage puts providers in a terrible position: “The drug shortage crisis is forcing providers to make impossible choices, and it is also hindering the development of new drugs. Health drugs are purchased only on a price basis, and manufacturers do not have to disclose the source of their acquisition of the ingredients.
The shortage of this generic chemical drug came due to the closure of one factory in India that manufactures the active ingredient after a surprise FDA inspection found “significant quality issues, ” says Jarallo:“ We didn ’ t know, and there was no transparency regarding the company ’ s supply of the majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients to all manufacturers across the board.
Knowing this in advance, we could have responded much faster, ” Dr. Steven Schundlemeyer, director of the PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy, which focuses on economic and management issues, told the committee that as with defense contractors in the United States, New Zealand requires manufacturers to disclose their suppliers, and that information is required.
Easily accessible in the database.
Related Topics

Title:

Content: Meitu
The first quarter of the United States serious drug shortage 323 drugs urgent cancer patients also have to be diverted and rationed!
CHU HENG NETWORK NEWS CENTER 2024-04-16 10: 42
According to the latest data from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Center for Drug Information Services, a total of 323 drugs in the United States were in severe shortages in the first quarter of this year, surpassing the record of 320 in 2014.
Among the drugs affected are the widely used diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro, the allergy treatment drug adrenaline, the common antibiotic amoxicillin for children, chemotherapy drugs and injections commonly used in hospitals in intensive care.
ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz said in a statement that almost all categories of drugs are facing shortages, with non-patented sterile injectable drugs, including cancer chemotherapy drugs, and emergency drugs stored in hospital emergency vans and operating areas, the shortage of such drugs is the most worrying.
According to the American Cancer Society, chemotherapy is one of the top five drugs most affected by the shortage, which threatens to have a devastating impact on patients, and some hospitals and clinics say doctors have had to divert patients to ration their medications because of a shortage of some chemotherapy drugs.
In addition, ASHP noted that the continued nationwide shortage of ADHD drugs is “a problem for clinicians and patients. ”
The shortage of popular drugs is even more acute, with Mounjaro, the diabetes drug known as the “slimming pill ”, already in dire straits.
In response, Lilly said that the “unprecedented surge in demand ” for Mounjaro and its similar drug Zepbound has led to a shortage in the market, which the company is struggling to cope with.
Lilly is ramping up investments to boost production at Mounjaro and Zepbound in the second half of 2024.
The company said it expects intermittent supply disruptions in the near term due to unprecedented demand.
How to cure the drug shortage
The last major “drug shortage ” in U.S. history occurred in 2014, and it has only been alleviated in the years since.
Since 2021, the drug shortage situation seems to be increasing, and scholars in the field of medical health and economics in the United States believe that the reason for most drug shortages in the United States is the fragmentation of the drug supply chain.
The White House this month proposed spending between $3.26 billion and $5.11 billion over the next decade to help address the nation ’ s drug shortage.
The bill requires approval and funding from the U.S. Congress.
U.S. researchers and policymakers believe that a complete solution to the “drug shortage ” may require changes to the business model of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, including measures to increase the price of generic drugs to attract more drug manufacturers.
Policymakers recommend giving the FDA more power to access more information about drug shortages and impending shortages.
Currently, the FDA relies primarily on phone calls to manufacturers asking if they can increase their supply to understand the situation.
The American Society of Health System Pharmacists said it is working with the federal government to advise the government on measures to address the drug shortage, including that Congress should require manufacturers to be more transparent on any supply chain issues and encourage more diversity in supply chains.
According to Abramowitz, “The federal government still has a lot of work to do to fundamentally address drug shortages, and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists will continue to engage regularly with policymakers to guide them in drafting and passing new legislation to address drug shortages and continue to advocate vigorously for proven solutions on behalf of our members. ”

Affected U.S. products included Ozempic and Mounjaro, adrenaline, pediatric amoxicillin, chemotherapy agents and other sterile injectables.

Analyses attributed shortages to supply‑chain fragmentation, manufacturing and quality problems, raw‑material gaps, downtime, and surges in demand.

Hospitals and clinics reported diverting and rationing some chemotherapy patients because of shortages.

The White House proposed $3.26–$5.11 billion over the next decade to help address U.S. drug shortages and experts urged greater manufacturer transparency and expanded FDA authority.

Ireland experienced prescription paracetamol supply issues during the 2022–23 winter surge and authorities advised using alternative strengths, brands or therapeutic substitutes.

Title:

Content: Ireland has been suffering a paracetamol shortage as cases of Covid-19 and the winter flu in the country soared over the festive and new year period.

The revelation was made by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly after his department received notification of a supply issue from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

It is understood the shortage impacted some prescription paracetamol products.

Read More:Irish people complain of ‘worst ever’ winter bug sweeping country that feels like Covid but isn’t

Two suppliers affected have stated that resupply will be sometime in January 2023.

However, there are other prescription paracetamol suppliers with some stock available on the shelves.

Paracetamol is one of the medicines used most often in Ireland and especially for the flu, aches and pain.

But Mr Donnelly pointed out that there are multiple forms of the drug with different strengths and brands available from various sources.

He said: "In the event that there are some supply issues for individual medicines, alternative options such as alternative strengths and brands, generic medicines will usually be available to ensure continuity of treatment.

"In some cases where the medicine initially prescribed for the patient is unavailable, patients may be switched to a suitable therapeutic alternative following appropriate consultation with a healthcare professional."

The Health Minister said medicine shortages have been increasingly prevalent worldwide over the past decade. The causes of such shortages are multifactorial including shortage of raw materials, manufacturing difficulties and industry consolidations.

He stated: "Medicine shortages can originate at any point in the supply chain. They can involve and impact many stakeholders in different ways as the supply models and clinical use of therapies can vary across national health systems.

"Management of medicines shortages necessitates a multi-faceted, multi stakeholder response to ensure patient safety , continuity of care and protection of public health.

"Patients or their carers who have any concerns in relation to temporary alternative products provided because of medical shortages are advised to speak with their pharmacist or other healthcare [professionals] involved in their care."

Mr Donnelly was responding to a number of written Dail questions on the shortage of medicines.

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Taiwan faced its worst drug shortage in 30 years after COVID disruptions, raw‑material shortages linked to the Russia‑Ukraine war, shipping cost spikes, and market exits following price cuts.

Title:

Content: The epidemic disrupted the supply chain, coupled with the shortage of raw materials caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia, caused the "biggest shortage of drugs in 30 years" in Taiwan at the beginning of last year. With the coming of the Chinese New Year, patients are worried about hoarding goods, and I am afraid that the shortage of drugs will become more serious.
A domestic pharmaceutical company recently received a call from a patient, the original patient has a heart disease, has been taking self-funded drugs, but recently faced the problem of lack of drugs, the doctor can not prescribe the same drugs, so the patient urgently asked the pharmaceutical company directly.
The drug factory staff, who did not want to be named, revealed that "it is not only this patient, but these patients even set up groups to find out where they can buy drugs, forcing them to call us after they have no way out."
Wang Ming-yuan, deputy spokesman of the All Federation of Pharmacists Association, said: "Last year, the shortage of drugs was the most serious situation since the outbreak of the epidemic, resulting in lack of labor and logistics. Now, with the release of the epidemic, the shortage of drugs has slowed down slightly.
For example, many patients with allergic rhinitis have been short of medicine for four months, Wang says, "Because it contains ephedrine, which is a controlled drug, the FDA only puts two batches of raw materials a year, so it is easy to run out of medicine.
Another reason for the shortage of drugs is the price of health insurance drugs. Due to the price cut, about 36% of the market share of "tears point eye" withdrew from the health insurance market in November last year. The drug used in the past in the health insurance annual consumption of more than 2.3 million bottles, which is equivalent to 190,000 bottles per month. And...
Shen Tsai-ying, a pharmacist, criticized officials for only treating head pain and foot pain. She said that the price of "love tears" health insurance is more expensive, health insurance has not saved money at all, and now even the domestically produced "Wufu" and other artificial tears brands are all out of stock.
Shen Caiying predicts that this wave of artificial tears shortage will continue until at least the Spring Festival.
Since the implementation of the "Drug Expenses Target System" (DET) in 102 years, the National Health Insurance Administration has set the target value of annual drug expenditure to maintain a stable and reasonable range of drug expenses. Under the total payment system, effective control of drug expenditure. Last year, the total drug price was reduced by 8.18 billion yuan, and the price of 5,500 drugs was reduced.
"The price of water and electricity is rising, but the price of health insurance has been cut!"
Shen Caiying pointed out that the price of drugs is constantly being cut, and pharmaceutical companies have no choice but to withdraw from the health insurance market, which has led to a more serious shortage of drugs.
In recent years, the Red Sea has been involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and it has been attacked by Yemeni youth movement organizations, endangering the traffic of commercial ships. Large shipping companies have announced that they will stop sailing in the Red Sea and switch to the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa, resulting in soaring freight costs. 180% increase.
Wang Ming-yuan laments that the situation at the freight gate will probably be the same as during the epidemic, and that the shortage of medicines will certainly increase, and with the arrival of the Chinese New Year, the public's "stockpiling" mentality will probably trigger a wave of drug snatching.
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# Lack of medicine # Red Sea crisis # Lack of medicine # Original medicine

Jordanian Ministry of Health hospitals reported medicine shortages and large accumulated debts due to budgeting shortfalls, procurement centralization issues, delayed supplier payments, and weak coordination.

Title:

Content: Lack of medicines in MOH hospitals and accumulation of indebtedness Repercussions / solutions
3 hours ago
Dr. Naeem Malkawi
The problem of shortage of medicines in Jordanian hospitals requires quick and effective attention and intervention, as providing medicines to patients is one of the foundations of quality health care and one of the most important strategies of the Ministry of Health, however, the shortage of medicines in many hospitals leads to health, economic and social challenges that threaten the quality of health care and patient safety.
The budget of the Ministry of Health of medicines, vaccines, vaccines and medical consumables for this year 2023 was estimated at 103.75 million dinars, where the actual for the past year 2022 was 93.8 million dinars.
The question is, how did the Ministry of Health accumulate such a large indebtedness in the item of medicines to reach 300 million dinars for pharmaceutical companies?
And why last week was the debt of 2019 cleared and deducted estimated at 50% of the debt for that year?
This means that there is still a delay in the payment of dues for companies for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 in addition to eight months of the current year 2023, and this brings us to a range of reasons and challenges:
1.
The aim of the Ministry of Health was to reduce the bureaucracy of procedures and overcome the complexity of procurement references in hospitals and health directorates in the governorates and not to obtain price and discount preferences, but the results indicate a defect in the management and mechanism of dealing with the strategy of unified and central procurement, despite the margin for hospital administrations to use the power of direct purchase in cases of necessity.
2.
Preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals: Evidence shows that there is a problem in the preparation of sub-budgets for hospitals and the main budget of the Ministry of Health with regard to the item of medicines, which is due to the lack of accurate and sufficient data on the number of patients and hospital needs of medicines, and the lack of accurate forecasting of future needs.
3.
Delays in the review of financial claims and invoices between the Ministry of Health and the hospitals on the one hand and the pharmaceutical companies on the other hand, is one of the most important reasons behind the accumulation of indebtedness, and this negatively affects the liquidity of the pharmaceutical companies and hinders them from providing a sustainable service in adhering to the procedures of supplying medicines according to schedule.
4.
Lack of coordination and communication: There may be a lack of coordination and communication between hospitals, the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies, which complicates the supply and distribution of medicines and increases the chances of delays and the depletion of medicines from hospitals in the absence of an effective policy for stock management and the time required for stock adequacy.
5.
Focusing on the trade names of certain drugs from specific production sources and not adopting the protocol of writing the scientific name for the prescriptions of patients.
6.
One of the reasons that may be major and important at the same time is the funding aspect and the lack of the necessary allocations or use them in other aspects other than medicines to fill a deficit or emergency during the use of budget items due to the scarcity of available liquidity. Medication.
Lack of medication can lead to:
1.
Threat to patient safety: Lack of medication puts sick people at risk, as this can lead to delays in receiving necessary treatment or the unavailability of vital drugs, putting their lives at risk.
2.
Economic Implications: The lack of medicines entails additional economic costs for the health system and patients.
Medical cases may be referred to other medical centers or private hospitals, increasing pressure on other MOH budget items.
3.
Pressure on health care workers: Health care workers are under pressure as a result of dealing with patients affected by drug shortages and repeatedly facing their inquiries and complaints.
4.
Social repercussions:
Increased anxiety and stress: A lack of medication can lead to an increase in anxiety and stress among patients and their families, as they live in uncertainty about the availability of the necessary treatment.
Lack of medication can affect the level of trust in the health system among citizens, who may feel that the system is unable to provide them with adequate health care.
Increased costs and social burdens: Some patients may have to incur additional costs to obtain drugs from other sources outside hospitals, affecting their financial and economic status.
After all this narrative there must be ways to overcome these dilemmas:
1.
Preparation of budgets scientifically and professionally: Hospitals should develop more accurate standards for the preparation of sub-budgets for medicines, through the analysis of previous data, estimation of future needs and other scientific and methodological foundations in the preparation of budgets and commitment to apply them accurately.
2.
Improve coordination and communication between parties: Coordination between the Ministry of Health, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies should be strengthened through the establishment of structured mechanisms for information exchange, review of invoices, and completion of claims, and not delay them.
3.
Implementation of fiscal reforms: The Government and the Ministry of Health should implement fiscal reforms that provide funding to cover this important item and pay dues in a timely manner, reduce bureaucracy in the financial audit process, and proceed with payment procedures within the timetable mechanism agreed in the tender terms.
4.
Achieving social responsibility: The government and pharmaceutical companies should adopt a social responsibility towards patients by providing these drugs and reducing their prices in the market to make them more accessible to patients while relieving part of the pressure and burden on hospitals.
Addressing the problem of drug shortages in government hospitals requires comprehensive cooperation between all concerned parties from government, Ministry of Health, hospitals, drug suppliers and patients.
To provide medicines on a permanent basis and to ensure the provision of high quality health care to the Jordanian patient.

In Nigeria inflation and currency devaluation pushed drug prices sharply higher, causing patients to self‑medicate, use traditional remedies, or buy only part of prescribed treatments.

Title:

Content: …As drugs prices skyrocket, many now out of reach

Hospitals, patients, pharmacists groan, fight for survival

By Cosmas Omegoh

Are crises looming in the healthcare sector at the moment? The answer is in the affirmative. And there are chances that such crises are in the multiple, as indications suggest. That is the reality before everyone, although many are yet to realise it until they fall sick.

Now, take a walk down the road; stroll into that next-door pharmacy shop. Then ask the pharmacy attendants about the price of the drug you purchased the last time, about three months ago. The price must have changed unarguably considerably. Its current price tag is sure to send you screaming in shock.

And then walk into a hospital in that neigbourhood and ask to be treated for that minor ailment. You will be dazed by the bill you will be handed down  afterwards.

The reality right now is that most people who have one thing or the other to do with the healthcare sector is groaning and lamenting. Every patient currently weaving in and out of hospital at the moment in search of wellness is complaining.

Just as it is in many other sectors of the economy, so it is in the drug industry where things are particularly steadily falling apart.

Now, here is what a recent Sunday Sun investigation revealed: those in the drug supply chain are bitterly complaining that their customers now can hardly afford the prices of drugs.

Health workers on their part are worried that only a handful of their patients are becoming barely able to pay for their hospital bills. The former are feeling embittered, fearing that their facilities might collapse with time as a result of lack of patronage, revenue and job losses.

Now, experts fear that patients might be becoming sicker. Because of sharp increases in the cost of drugs and hospital bills, a lot more people might either be resorting to self medication when they are ill, or falling back to the traditional way of treating themselves.

However, a healthcare expert, Dr Abayomi Ogunbekun, believes that the situation will ease off with time. But for now, his fears are definite: that in the interim, the current regime might result to “high morbidity and high mortality.”

He said that if the situation persists, many more people might begin to fall sick more easily and then die.

Analysts insisted that the current hardship in the country and people’s inability to meet up with their needs, are coming on the margin of sweeping policies recently introduced by the current central administration.

Following, for instance, the “subsidy is gone,” declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inauguration speech, petrol prices is now hovering between N500 and N700 depending on one’s location, up from N185. Consequently, a considerable number of people are now spending far more of their income buying fuel and paying transport fares. The latter had soared highly on every route lately. Therefore, transportation is now taking out a large chunk of people’s earnings.

Besides, the recent merger of the official and parallel foreign exchange windows is seeing the Naira exchanging well above N800 with the dollar – a move experts suggest has forced a devaluation of the local currency. That is already driving prices of goods and services to the sky.

Then, there is also the hike in electricity tariff. Consumers are now forced to pay higher amounts for the electricity them consume.

Those who know insist the government’s recent policies are pushing up price and forcing the ordinary persons into multi-dimensional poverty. That most people now care much more about what to eat than anything else, with concern about their health taking the backburner – because they can no longer afford the high cost of drugs and hospital bills as much as they used to in the recent past.

Drug prices on the rise

While reflecting on the ongoing trend, a community pharmacist, Mr Damian Izuka, described the current soar-away prices of drugs in the Nigerian market as worrisome.

“We are in a moment of inflation. The price of everything now is going up; since the price of every commodity is rising, those of drugs will not be an exception. That is pure elementary economics,” he explained.

While maintaining that his colleagues in the industry are not to be blamed, he said: “The increases in the prices of drugs are not the making of any pharmacist or drugs supplier. Not at all! It is brought about by the reality of the economic situation we now face.

“Everyone knows that the cost of the dollar to the naria is up there in the clouds. And now, it is inching towards the N900 mark, with clear indication for everyone to see that towards the end of the year, it will hit N1,000. Everything seems to be heading up to the sky. Therefore, what will happen is that because we are majorly a consuming nation, prices will continue to go up until we realise the need to look inwards and do what other nations who are doing well are doing. Unless we do that, inflation will continue to bite harder.”

Fears over cost of drugs

Izuka who is a Fellow of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) is unhappy that the country might be headed for the untoward if nothing is done soon to address the rising cost of drugs.

He said: “I have this fear that what we are in now might snowball into a big crisis.

“To be honest with you, drugs are not luxury products. They are products related to wellness.

“You are sick, you are not feeling fine. Then you go for drugs; they kick in to challenge the illness and you are well again.

“Now, when the prices of those drugs go up and become unreachable to the ordinary person, I cannot imagine what will happen next.

“To tell you the truth, I pity the ordinary man in this country. I imagine the fate of the poor who will be needing drugs at such high prices. Everyone needs drugs to get well. If, therefore, they become not affordable, it will be very bitter, very unpleasant.”

Another community-based pharmacist in Lagos, Nike Abioye, also lamented the rising cost of drugs in the market.

She too revealed that some drugs which used to be fairly affordable earlier were no longer so.

“The last time I went to restock our outlet, the prices I was hearing surprised me; when I asked for (a certain antibiotic), I was told its recent retail price had hit N19,000 per pack.

“I wondered who on earth would buy it off the shelf if I purchased it.

“It was better I bought other lesser drugs which the people could afford than to tie such huge amount of money on a product no one would be ready to touch with a long pole.”

Patients lament drug cost

Also lamenting, Mr Tolu Olajire recalled that he was stunned by the high cost of drugs he was asked to purchase after a visit to a General Hospital in Lagos, stating: “We are seeing the worst of times.

“My son was having this illness which we kept treating at home; we kept buying drugs from the local shop in our area, but they couldn’t cure him.

“When we eventually visited the General Hospital, the doctor wrote drugs for him some of which we were to purchase because they didn’t have them all at the hospital   pharmacy.

“I was only able to buy the quantity the money I had could fetch so that he could start taking until I could buy more.”

Olajire said that he only had to take his child to the hospital because he felt that his ailment was attaining the level that could not be managed at home.

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“For me, local concoction (agbo) is the answer. It is either I buy the cooked stuff from the local vendor or I source the leaves and roots by myself, cook and drink.”

Then he asked: “With the high cost of hospital bills and drugs nowadays, how can we cope?”

In like manner, Mrs Agbo, a resident of Isheri-Oshun, Lagos, told our correspondent that her family and many others in her neigbourhood now depend on the services of a retired nurse in their area for treatment.

“She is our own doctor in this area – our saving grace – popular and kind too.

“Many families depend on her for their wellness.

“The hospitals in this area are very expensive. If not her, I wonder how many will be surviving this hard times.”

Drug cost impact on treatment, hospitals

Dr Ogunbekun who works for Hoarse Memorial Methodist Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, recalled that the ongoing drug crisis in the country was hitting the hospitals.

“Indeed, drugs are very, very expensive these days. The cost of things has gone up astronomically.

“But we have continued to cope.”

Dr Abayomi who is the chairman of Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN), Lagos State chapter, admitted that “the true situation now is that the practice of medicine is beginning to encounter hiccups. People no longer have money to pay for their medical bills.

“Right now, our staff are demanding pay rise. Many are running away, going abroad for greener pastures. Those who are still around, if you don’t give them a better package they walk away.

“Indeed, the cost of medical treatment is skyrocketing. Now, many increasingly can’t  afford it. If you charge the way things are, not many will be able to pay except the billionaires in our midst.

“Now, if we insist on charging highly, we will end up scaring away our patients. Yet, we need to stay afloat to be able to pay our staff’s salaries.”

Dr Ogunbekun affirmed that “things are really terrible in Nigerian now. The cost of transportation alone is consuming above 80 per cent of staff’s pay. What do they do with the rest 20 per cent?”

Implication of trend for patients

Continuing, Dr Ogunbekun expressed fear that the average patients’ inability to access healthcare might mount bigger crisis for the country in the days ahead.

“The situation is sure to promote quackery. This will further lead to complications and damage to patients’ vital organs. Bigger diseases will then follow.

“We are likely going to see people with hypertension being unable to eat well let alone buy their drugs. We might likely see people dying of hypertension-related diseases, stroke and diabetes. People with asthma too will be at risk.

“I see people getting sicker and sicker; more people will go from acute to chronic conditions and eventually die. The number of deaths will then increase.”

How hospitals are coping

Dr Ogunbekun also revealed that most hospitals as a way of coping with the challenges are adopting a number of critical measures.

He said: “What we are doing now is to invent coping skills.

“Some hospitals I know are having regular engagements with their staff. They know what we generate. And we don’t want to sack anyone.

“In our situation, we cannot tell our staff to stay at home or come to work twice a week. That’s not possible. Medical practice doesn’t work that way. People must be on duty 24 hours of the day. We must have the barest minimum number of staff to operate.”

Talking about how they manage their patients, he said: “We now negotiate our bills with our patients. We have to; we now give discounts.

“Imagine how patients used to complain in the past. You can imagine how they are complaining now that the economy is looking worse.

“So, what we do now is to tell our patients the cost of our drugs. Then we play with our consultation fees, bed fees, and professional fees; we have to cut back on all that, but not on the cost of our drugs, because we must buy those drugs back, same for laboratory materials.

“If we don’t do what we are doing, we will be scaring away our patients; if they don’t come to us, how do we sustain our services?”

Optimism things will change

However, Dr Ogunbekun is upbeat that things will turn around. He believes the economy will improve if the government stays committed to improving the situation on ground.

“This economy has to change. Things have to improve. I believe with what the government is doing now, in a matter of time things will change.

“If the government will channel the resources it said it has saved so far to more productive ventures, things will turn out differently. I believe that.”

Advice to the government

Izuka believes that the government needs to kick in now to stave off the fledging drug crisis.

“It is my honest wish that the government should act fast in the best possible way to curb this current situation.

“The way it is trending, I’m sure that not long from now, many of the common drugs in the market will be very difficult to purchase.

“One of the things that ought be done now by the government is to exempt drugs from the kind of duties placed on medicament and medical devices. That way, they can be made more affordable.

“It is unfortunate that because of our kind of system, those who have the privilege of being in charge seem to know it all. Whatever they chose to do is what they go ahead to do. They don’t listen to anybody.

“The big men up there will always jet out to get the best attention overseas and upon their return, turn around to ask the rest of us to tighten our belts.

 “But the fact remains that drugs are not items you allow to go to the level where the ordinary man will not be able afford them.

 “So, one of the best things to do now ought to be to ensure that the suggested palliatives by the government be extended to the health sector to help it to survive.

“There must be subsidy extension to the drugs sector otherwise there will be bigger crisis,” he said.

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Hospitals in Nigeria reported negotiating bills, giving discounts, cutting some fees, engaging staff, and fearing staff losses to retain services under rising operating and transport costs.

Manufacturers such as Lilly said unprecedented demand for Mounjaro (and related products) caused shortages and announced plans to increase production.

Shortages raised prices for affected generics and in some cases alternatives cost several times more, increasing patient financial burden.

Title:

Content: Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices

Reporter: Andryanna Sheppard
Published: Updated:
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Millions of people in the United States depend on prescription drugs to manage pain, treat medical conditions, and even to help them stay alive. However, the country’s drug shortage is making it hard for some people to get the medication they need or pay for the drugs that are available.

Federal Drug Administration data shows 90 percent of prescriptions in the US are for generic drugs. According to the National Institutes of Health, most prescription drugs involved in shortages are generic options.

There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s prescription drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.

Jessica Kahn’s two sons were diagnosed with ADD.

“I would say tricky, tricky to navigate,” Kahn described.

For the past year, Kahn said getting their medication has been frustrating.

“I have my list of all the pharmacies. I’ve even driven all the way up north to Walgreens or a CVS, some random place to go pick up a kids’ prescription,” Kahn added.

According to the FDA, prescription drug shortages are often linked to manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuations. Two drugs used in chemotherapy, Adderall, lidocaine, and amoxicillin are just a couple of the prescription medications on the shortage list.

When drug supplies are low, prices tend to increase. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is a 16.6 percent increase in the price of drugs involved in a shortage. And in some cases, alternative drugs were priced at least three times higher.

“You got to be very conscientious that it might not be available and that it is not an option,” Kahn advised. “No matter how many places you call, it’s not there.”

Beating the prescription drug shortage

Health experts offer these tips:

  • Check the national drug shortage list for your medication and possible alternatives.
  • Don’t wait until your prescription is almost gone to refill it.
  • Check other pharmacies for availability and if you can’t find the generic version, look for coupons or programs that offer payment help. Some patients have reported that they receive additional help to reduce some prescription costs from $100 to $10, it’s not allowed if you are already on Medicare.
  • Websites and apps like GoodRX, RX Saver and WellRX can help you find the cheapest place that has your medication and coupons for it.

Contributors to this news report include: Lindsay Dailey, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor

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