The United States is experiencing a record high level of drug shortages, with 323 active shortages in the first three months of 2024, according to data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah's Drug Information Service.

The number of drug shortages has been increasing steadily since 2021, with all categories of drugs being affected, including injectable generic medications, chemotherapy drugs, and emergency medications.

The five categories of drugs with the largest shortages are central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormones, and intravenous fluids.

The average duration of a drug shortage is around 1.5 years, with more than half of shortages lasting over two years, according to government data.

Over half a million patients are affected by drug shortages, many of whom are elderly, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The main causes of drug shortages are manufacturing and quality problems, including supply chain disruptions and plant shutdowns, rather than increased demand.

In order to prepare for future shortages, it is essential to identify the medications that are at risk of shortage and to develop alternative solutions, such as finding alternative medications or working with healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans.

Primary caretakers can play a crucial role in identifying potential medication shortages and finding alternative solutions for their patients by being proactive and informed.

The FDA has declared a nationwide Adderall shortage due to manufacturing delays, and pharmacists can work collaboratively with patients' providers to find an available strength and dosage to meet the patient's needs until the original strength becomes available again.

In the event of a medication shortage, alternative options such as different strengths and brands of the same medication can be used to ensure continuity of treatment.

Generic medicines can be used as an alternative to the originally prescribed medication in cases of shortages.

Patients may be switched to a suitable therapeutic alternative following consultation with a healthcare professional if the initially prescribed medication is unavailable.

Primary caretakers can find alternative solutions by consulting with pharmacists or other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.

The FDA has temporarily allowed overseas drug manufacturers to import some chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin, to address shortages.

Pharmacists are managing shortages by offering therapeutic alternatives, buying different vial sizes or concentrations, and rationing medicines.

Healthcare providers are working to find alternative medications and are prioritizing patients' needs in the face of the shortages.

It is essential for primary caretakers to stay informed about current shortages and alternative medications, and to work with healthcare providers to develop contingency plans.

The German Pediatric Association has warned of an increasing shortage of children's medications, including medications for fever and pain in suitable doses for children, as well as a lack of penicillin.

The Taiwanese government has established a 5-point response mechanism to address medication shortages, which includes a single processing window, real-time monitoring of medication shortages, cross-unit cooperation, a cost adjustment mechanism, and a system for reporting and substituting medications.

The government has proposed short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies to strengthen the country's medication supply system and prevent or mitigate shortages.

Short-term strategies include immediate response measures, such as allocating medications to medical institutions and pharmacies, and adjusting drug prices to ensure a stable supply.

Mid-term strategies involve establishing a permanent medication shortage response center, optimizing medication supply information transmission, and strengthening cross-departmental cooperation to prevent medication shortages.

The US pharmaceutical industry's reliance on foreign suppliers for raw materials, particularly from countries like China, India, and Italy, makes the supply chain vulnerable to fluctuations.

The Taiwanese government has identified 15 classes of medications that are in short supply, including antibiotics, antipyretics, and anti-diarrheal medications.

The shortage of medications is attributed to the insufficient supply of medications from manufacturers or distributors to meet the demand of hospitals and clinics.

Medication shortages in hospitals can lead to health, economic, and social challenges that threaten the quality of healthcare and patient safety.

The Jordanian Ministry of Health's budget for medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies for 2023 is estimated to be 103.75 million dinars.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Drug Information Service, there were 323 drugs in severe shortage in the US in the first quarter of 2024, exceeding the previous record of 320 in 2014.

The affected drugs include widely used medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes, epinephrine for allergies, amoxicillin for children, chemotherapy drugs, and injectable medications used in hospitals.

Non-patent sterile injectable drugs, including cancer chemotherapy medications and emergency medications stored in hospital crash carts and operating rooms, are the most concerning category of drugs facing shortages.

The American Cancer Society has warned that chemotherapy drugs are among the top five categories of drugs most severely affected by shortages, which could have devastating effects on patients.

Some hospitals and clinics have reported having to ration medications and divert patients due to shortages of certain chemotherapy drugs.

Ireland has been experiencing a paracetamol shortage due to a surge in Covid-19 and winter flu cases.

The shortage affects some prescription paracetamol products, but not all suppliers are affected.

The deficit of medicines in the USA increased by 30% in the past year compared to 2021.

The average duration of a drug shortage is 18 months, with some shortages lasting up to 15 years.

Economic factors, non-transparent supply chains, and the fact that 80-90% of some products are manufactured abroad contribute to the shortages.

Government intervention in pricing mechanisms can lead to market imbalances and shortages, as seen in the case of egg and medication shortages in Taiwan.

The Taiwanese government's attempts to control egg prices have resulted in a prolonged egg shortage, lasting over 1 year, due to a lack of production incentives for farmers.

The United States is experiencing a record high level of drug shortages, with 323 active shortages in the first three months of 2024, according to data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah's Drug Information Service.

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

The number of drug shortages has been increasing steadily since 2021, with all categories of drugs being affected, including injectable generic medications, chemotherapy drugs, and emergency medications.

The five categories of drugs with the largest shortages are central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormones, and intravenous fluids.

The average duration of a drug shortage is around 1.5 years, with more than half of shortages lasting over two years, according to government data.

Over half a million patients are affected by drug shortages, many of whom are elderly, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The main causes of drug shortages are manufacturing and quality problems, including supply chain disruptions and plant shutdowns, rather than increased demand.

In order to prepare for future shortages, it is essential to identify the medications that are at risk of shortage and to develop alternative solutions, such as finding alternative medications or working with healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans.

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.

Primary caretakers can play a crucial role in identifying potential medication shortages and finding alternative solutions for their patients by being proactive and informed.

The FDA has declared a nationwide Adderall shortage due to manufacturing delays, and pharmacists can work collaboratively with patients' providers to find an available strength and dosage to meet the patient's needs until the original strength becomes available again.

Title:

Content: Nationwide Adderall shortage impacting area pharmacies in the Panhandle

Published: Oct. 19, 2022 at 5:07 PM CDT|Updated: 19 minutes ago

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - The Food and Drug Administration has declared a nationwide Adderall shortage and the Panhandle is feeling the affects.

The FDA blames the shortage on manufacturing delays.

Health experts say a shortage in stimulant medications is actually not a rare occurrence.

“The amount of medication that is produced is limited and regulated by the government, so there have been other years where towards the end of the year in particular, we start to struggle with supply issues. In this case, however, while that does seem to be probably one of the contributing factors, the other issue we’re facing, at least what we’re hearing about it right now, is that the manufacturing delays have been an issue and some of that has been secondary to the labor shortages,” said Dr. Carolyn Lentsch-Parcells, pediatrician and assistant professor at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU.

Martin Tipton Pharmacy is being impacted by this shortage.

“We’re having to order from various manufacturers right now, not our normal manufactures just because we cannot get them from our normal ones,” said Mark Vogler, Martin Tipton Pharmacy.

Fortunately its patients have been able to get their needed medication, just a different brand.

Amarillo Pharmacy is also being impacted, saying the drug has been back ordered for the past two months.

The Amarillo Pharmaceutical Care Center at Texas Tech Physicians is also seeing a back order on one of the strengths of the drug.

“The drug company manufacturers short-acting and extended-release, for example. So, a pharmacist, in this situation, will work collaboratively with the patient’s provider to find an available strength and dosage to meet the patient’s needs until the original strength becomes available again,” said Amarillo Pharmaceutical Care Center at Texas Tech Physicians.

Dr. Lentsch-Parcells acknowledged this may be an uneasy time for those depending on Adderall, especially with the end of the semester and holidays approaching. She encourages you to reach out to your providers.

“There are various strategies that we will sometimes use to help our patients get the best care possible, while we are trying to ride out the shortage, so that might be changing dosage or using dosage forms that are available to replace their typical medication,” said Dr. Lentsch-Parcells

She emphasizes not to make any changes to your medications without speaking to your providers first.

Pharmacy chains, like CVS and Walgreens, both confirm they are seeing intermittent supply issues with the generic form of the drug.

In the event of a medication shortage, alternative options such as different strengths and brands of the same medication can be used to ensure continuity of treatment.

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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Generic medicines can be used as an alternative to the originally prescribed medication in cases of shortages.

Patients may be switched to a suitable therapeutic alternative following consultation with a healthcare professional if the initially prescribed medication is unavailable.

Primary caretakers can find alternative solutions by consulting with pharmacists or other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.

The FDA has temporarily allowed overseas drug manufacturers to import some chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin, to address shortages.

Title:

Content: As drug shortage list grows, many hospitals face tough decisions on rationing care

More than half of hospital pharmacists are reporting a critical shortage of chemotherapy drugs and nearly all are reporting overall medicine supply gaps as prescription drug shortages near an all time high, according to a new survey.

Hospital pharmacists said drug shortages have forced 1 in 3 health systems to delay, cancel or ration care or switch to alternate drugs to continue to treat patients. And 99% are reporting some drug supply shortages, an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists survey of more than 1,000 pharmacists released Thursday found.

The organization reported shortages of 309 drugs, near the all-time high of 320 shortages in 2014. The scarcity of key drugs is prompting hospitals to find or substitute drugs and change treatment plans as needed.

“In some cases, there are no alternatives to the affected drugs, which puts patients at risk," ASHP Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Abramowitz said in a statement. "This issue requires quick action from Congress to address the underlying causes of shortages and ensure patients have the medications they need.”

Cancer drug shortages

In June, the Food and Drug Administration said it will temporarily allow overseas drug manufacturers to import some chemotherapy drugs.

The FDA allowed Qilu Pharmaceutical, a drug manufacturer in China, to import the injectable chemotherapy drug cisplatin in 50-milligram vials. Toronto pharmaceutical company Apotex Corp. will distribute the medication in the United States.

More than a dozen cancer drugs have been in shortage in recent months, including cisplatin and carboplatin, used to treat lung, breast, prostate and gynecologic cancers. The National Cancer Institute said cisplatin and similar drugs are prescribed for 10% to 20% of all cancer patients.

In June, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network released a survey of 27 academic cancer centers that found 93% reported shortages of carboplatin and 70% faced shortages of cisplatin.

When cancer hospitals face such shortages, they attempt to make sure there's enough medication for patients to finish the course of treatment, said Mike Ganio, ASHP's senior director of pharmacy practice and quality.

Cancer hospitals facing such shortages might change medications for new patients starting on chemotherapy, said Ganio, a former pharmacy manager at an academic cancer center.

"You try to keep that patient on the same regimen as much as you can, unless they're failing it for some reason, and then you would switch," Ganio said.

Steroids, hormonal drugs also in short supply

More than 1 in 5 hospital pharmacists also reported shortages for steroids, hormonal drugs and oral liquids such as lidocaine, ibuprofen and amoxicillin.

A smaller number of pharmacists said heart medications, emergency prefilled syringes and drugs used for intensive care unit patients were in short supply. Others reported shortages of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medicines, antimicrobial drugs and injectable opioids.

In all, about two-thirds of pharmacists said the shortages were "moderately impactful," which means they are managing shortages but patients are affected.

Pharmacists are managing the shortages by offering therapeutic alternatives, buying different vial sizes or concentrations and rationing medicines.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Survey: Drug shortages are widespread, hospitals ration care

Pharmacists are managing shortages by offering therapeutic alternatives, buying different vial sizes or concentrations, and rationing medicines.

Healthcare providers are working to find alternative medications and are prioritizing patients' needs in the face of the shortages.

Title:

Content: The lack of medicine continues to burn!
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has proposed a short, medium and long-term strategy to deal with the current 5 coping mechanisms.
Journalist Yen Zhenzhen / Taipei Report
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the shortage of drugs is not a single factor, but includes supply problems, manufacturing problems, clinical demand factors, uneven distribution of drugs, drug use habits and drug prices. In addition to dealing with the relatively high clinical demand items, it is properly allocated to all levels of medical institutions and pharmacies to fully meet the needs of clinical end-use drugs.
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In the face of the shortage of drugs, Wang said, the existing health insurance uses five major coping mechanisms, including 1, a single processing window, a dedicated person to help deal with the problem of drug purchase, and contact the Food and Drug Administration to put relevant information on the website of the NHI. (4) Drug price adjustment mechanism that does not meet the cost can be re-checked according to the way of raising the price of special drugs; (5) Alternative drugs can still declare the cost, if they are not irreplaceable, they can be replaced at the same price or lower than the original prescription drug price.
In addition, Wang pointed out that in the face of the international epidemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and labor shortage, drug shortage is a problem facing all countries. In order to strengthen the stable supply mechanism of drugs in China, the Ministry of Health and Welfare continues to actively respond to the short-term strategy to solve the problem of drug shortage. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the pharmaceutical industry have made every effort to actively arrange production lines, strive for early import, increase production / import quantity, and properly distribute to all levels of medical institutions and pharmacies to fully meet the demand for clinical end use drugs.
In addition, to properly handle the issue of drug price adjustment, the Central Health Insurance Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare intends to implement the "Universal Health Insurance Cost Distribution Target System (DET)" in April this year, which will adjust the number of drug prices and adjust the quota in a suitable manner, taking into account factors such as the epidemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war and inflation.
In terms of medium-term strategy, Wang said that he will establish a permanent drug shortage treatment center and optimize drug supply information transmission.
In order to speed up the handling of drug shortage incidents, we will adopt dedicated personnel and cross-departmental cooperation to develop drug shortage prevention policies to prevent drug shortage in advance, strengthen cross-departmental data integration and proactive monitoring to detect drug shortage incidents at an early stage, and intervene early through cross-departmental cooperation to stabilize drug supply.
At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to disseminate drug supply and alternative drug information through various channels. In addition to posting on the “Drug Supply Information Platform ”, the FDA will notify medical institutions and pharmacies through VPN, and weekly letters to relevant medical associations and public associations to inform members. Management system.
In the long-term strategy section, it includes reviewing the current health insurance drug pricing policy and encouraging the production of domestically manufactured generic drugs.
Wang Bi-sheng pointed out that in the review of the current health insurance drug price policy, including the development of the price protection of indicative drugs, drug price review for the lack of drugs; start the review of drug expenditure target (DET), plan the establishment of a risk control mechanism, plan the national unified procurement trial plan; comprehensively review the health insurance drug price policy, give an appropriate price protection mechanism for necessary drugs, and also target the patent period. To encourage the production of domestic manufacturers to ensure that when there is a shortage of original pharmaceutical products, there are domestic famous drugs to respond.
Wang also stressed that the Food and Drug Administration has set up a "Drug Supply Information Platform" (https: / / dsms.fda.gov.tw /), reporting hotline (02) 27878249. If medical institutions and pharmacies have any shortage of drugs, they can go to the platform for enquiry or notification, and the department will deal with it immediately.
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It is essential for primary caretakers to stay informed about current shortages and alternative medications, and to work with healthcare providers to develop contingency plans.

Title:

Content: The Association of Pediatricians in Germany warns of a growing shortage of children 's medicines - Sunrise Gate
Saturday 29 April 2023 9: 47 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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German paediatricians' association warns of growing shortage of children's medicines
DBA
Published on: Saturday 29 April 2023 - 8: 56 PM | Last updated on Saturday 29 April 2023 - 8: 56 PM
The professional association of paediatricians in Germany has warned of a growing shortage of paediatric medicines.
In remarks to the German newspaper "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" issued on Saturday, the president of the association Thomas Fischbach said: "Currently we are treating patients away from therapeutic guidelines, and the next autumn is at the door and we will again face a supply crisis that may be worse," noting that there is a shortage of fever and pain drugs at doses suitable for children, and there is no penicillin either.
Fischbach is among the signatories of an open letter from pediatricians from Germany, France, South Tyrol, Austria and Switzerland to the country ’ s health ministers.
In a letter to German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, he said: “The health of our children and young people is at risk across Europe due to a lack of medicines, and there is an urgent need for a quick, reliable and lasting solution. ”
Doctors are "deeply concerned", they said, adding that the bottlenecks of the past months have prevented the availability of appropriate treatments for children and treatments that follow the treatment guidelines, and that this would permanently endanger the health of children and young people.
The letter also said: “A supply shortage scenario would have been somewhat unimaginable in our country a few years ago, and we believe it is the responsibility of politicians to ensure that there is adequate production and storage of medicines important for primary care for children in Europe. ”
Fischbach called for support for the production of medicines for children in Germany and said Germany should once again be attractive enough for companies to produce medicines in Germany, adding that politicians should work to ensure this.
In the letter, dated April 27, the association said doctors were prescribing antibiotics for example in cases of pneumonia, urinary tract infection or scarlet fever, saying that if antibiotics were not available, doctors would have to resort to second-or third-line antibiotics, but they were less effective and the risk of antibiotic resistance was increasing.
It should be noted that the shortage of anti-juice supplies for children has become official in Germany since last Tuesday, where the German Ministry of Health announced in the Federal Index, the official advertising platform in the Federal Republic of Germany, that there is such a shortage at the moment.
A spokesman for the ministry said on Friday that this meant that certain active substances were not currently available.
The ministry said the reasons for supply bottlenecks in medicines were diverse, citing "bottlenecks in essential materials" and "production problems".
The Supreme Association of Legal Health Insurers said the pharmaceutical industry shared responsibility for the shortfall, with spokesman Florian Lantz saying: “There was a shared confidence in the pharmaceutical industry that it would provide supplies to patients in case of doubt, but that confidence has now been shaken. ”
In the past, the pharmaceutical industry had built overseas supply chains that were now proving unstable.
German Health Minister Lauterbach said on Twitter that paediatricians' concerns were justified and referred to a law on combating bottlenecks drafted by the German government earlier this month.
However, the law has not yet been passed by the German parliament and will allow manufacturers to demand higher prices for baby medicines in Germany so that supplies to Germany are more feasible.
It also requires a months-long increase in storage time for some important drugs and gives a greater role to companies that produce antibiotic active substances in Europe.
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The German Pediatric Association has warned of an increasing shortage of children's medications, including medications for fever and pain in suitable doses for children, as well as a lack of penicillin.

The Taiwanese government has established a 5-point response mechanism to address medication shortages, which includes a single processing window, real-time monitoring of medication shortages, cross-unit cooperation, a cost adjustment mechanism, and a system for reporting and substituting medications.

The government has proposed short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies to strengthen the country's medication supply system and prevent or mitigate shortages.

Short-term strategies include immediate response measures, such as allocating medications to medical institutions and pharmacies, and adjusting drug prices to ensure a stable supply.

Mid-term strategies involve establishing a permanent medication shortage response center, optimizing medication supply information transmission, and strengthening cross-departmental cooperation to prevent medication shortages.

The US pharmaceutical industry's reliance on foreign suppliers for raw materials, particularly from countries like China, India, and Italy, makes the supply chain vulnerable to fluctuations.

Title:

Content: International
International News
Dependent on foreign raw materials fluctuate, big pharmaceutical companies chase short-term profit loss production
The shortage of ADHD drugs is just the tip of the iceberg of the current drug shortage in the United States. According to the FDA, more than 135 drugs are in short supply, including chemotherapy drugs for cancer.
A survey released by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) in early August showed that one-third of the 1,100 hospitals surveyed had no prescription, delayed or reduced prescriptions due to drug shortages to meet the supply window.
Expert analysis, pharmaceutical companies to pursue short-term profit first business model, so that the production of life-saving drugs and demand out of line, drug shortage problem is difficult to improve.
Experts urge pharmaceutical companies to face social responsibility
Rita Numerof, a medical industry consultant, wrote in Forbes magazine that in order to reduce costs, US pharmaceutical companies have long relied on foreign suppliers such as China, India and Italy to import raw materials for the production of drugs, which is prone to fluctuations in supply. They are looking to develop drugs that are more likely to be used for long-term diseases.
Teva, a manufacturer of ADHD drugs and the world ’ s largest generic drug manufacturer, announced earlier that it would reduce the production of some generic drugs and focus on more profitable products. Rumelove warned that if pharmaceutical companies are unwilling to address their social responsibilities and strengthen supply risk management, public trust in the pharmaceutical industry will continue to weaken, and ultimately public health and safety will pay a heavy price.
Focus on the organization to accelerate the use of new generic drugs to increase production incentives
The American Association for Access to Medicines (AAM) released a report last month, saying that because of restrictions on the supply of generic drugs, the supply price of generic drugs is limited, and the return of investment in new drugs is not high. The situation.
(Forbes / DrugTopics)
(Global Hot Talk)
Related Words: Adderall Drug Shortage Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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The Taiwanese government has identified 15 classes of medications that are in short supply, including antibiotics, antipyretics, and anti-diarrheal medications.

Title:

Content: The lack of drugs caused public resentment, the Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday (27th) held a press conference to announce the 15 most scarce drugs in the country, including antibiotics, fever, diarrhea, etc., and the Director of Health Insurance Shi Chongliang also stressed that the price of drugs will not be adjusted this year. It costs 33% on a single charge, because the cost of the project is much higher than the health insurance price.
From 2015 to 2023, the problem that you want to rely on a press conference to solve? It only shows that the authorities have no plans at all, and the pharmacists have to continue to work hard on their own.
"I sometimes feel that pharmacists put too much of their social responsibility, but at the same time, I am glad that these pharmacists are willing to bear heavy burdens to keep our years quiet." Facebook fan "Sanbao · pharmacist · God Uncle" pointed out in a Facebook post today (28), why is there a shortage of drugs? The number of drugs in the department is not enough to supply the prescription prescribed by the hospital clinic. "
But it is not because of raw materials, because of capacity, or because of the supply chain, which depends on these people who have the resources to trace the source.
Sanbao pharmacist stressed, "before 2020 you say lack of medicine, the Food and Drug Department will tell you that you do not check the word may be fined 3 million!" At that time, he and a friend and a fan group have been reminding the Association of pharmacists to pay attention to lack of medicine, do not hold annual garden parade to whitewash the peace, of course, this argument at that time few people accept, after all, the lottery is what the public like.
And the problem that started in 2015 and continued to swing into 2023, now that I want a press conference to solve? This is as difficult as Xiao Xu getting married before the end of the year and performing a double transformation at the wedding.
Three Treasures Pharmacist bluntly said that yesterday's press conference only highlighted that the authorities had no planning at all, and even the original three-tong policy was an entire situation.
"In my opinion, pharmacists have to continue to work on their own!" To put it mildly, the magnesium oxide produced by the government project (soft stool, acid preparation, 110 years of health insurance use of 250 million pills), pharmacists will pay 33% for each order, because the cost of the project is much higher than the health insurance price.
The pharmacist who is serious about finding drugs to help patients is on the road of the Chao Pharma-Buddha. "There are three children in my family, and it is really impossible to be like the chairman of the board of directors who do not care about remuneration."
# Cai Government # Lack of Drugs # Food and Drug Administration # Ministry of Health and Welfare # Scrap

The shortage of medications is attributed to the insufficient supply of medications from manufacturers or distributors to meet the demand of hospitals and clinics.

Medication shortages in hospitals can lead to health, economic, and social challenges that threaten the quality of healthcare and patient safety.

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.

The Jordanian Ministry of Health's budget for medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies for 2023 is estimated to be 103.75 million dinars.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Drug Information Service, there were 323 drugs in severe shortage in the US in the first quarter of 2024, exceeding the previous record of 320 in 2014.

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. ”

The affected drugs include widely used medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes, epinephrine for allergies, amoxicillin for children, chemotherapy drugs, and injectable medications used in hospitals.

Non-patent sterile injectable drugs, including cancer chemotherapy medications and emergency medications stored in hospital crash carts and operating rooms, are the most concerning category of drugs facing shortages.

The American Cancer Society has warned that chemotherapy drugs are among the top five categories of drugs most severely affected by shortages, which could have devastating effects on patients.

Some hospitals and clinics have reported having to ration medications and divert patients due to shortages of certain chemotherapy drugs.

Ireland has been experiencing a paracetamol shortage due to a surge in Covid-19 and winter flu cases.

The shortage affects some prescription paracetamol products, but not all suppliers are affected.

The deficit of medicines in the USA increased by 30% in the past year compared to 2021.

Title:

Content: The New York Times Original
Continue reading Growing drug shortage in the United States has become a threat to national security
The shortage of medicines in the United States last year increased compared to 2021 by 30%, according to The New York Times.
However, the article notes that the growing shortage of inexpensive but critical drugs poses a national security threat to the United States.
The growing shortage of inexpensive but critical drugs poses a threat to U.S. national security and forces hospitals to make “terrible ” choices, writes The New York Times, citing a report prepared for hearings in the U.S. Senate.
According to this report, the shortage of medicines last year increased by almost 30% compared to 2021, with an average shortage of medicines observed for 18 months, and for some drugs – 15 years.
Among the drugs in short supply are conventional antibiotics and anesthetics, the article said.
Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan and chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, said that these problems are related to economic factors, an opaque supply chain and the fact that 80% to 90% of some products are made abroad.
“Taken together, these underlying causes not only raise serious concerns about ensuring proper patient care, but also pose a serious threat to national security, ” Peters said.
Dr. Andrew Schumann, an oncology surgeon from Michigan, told senators at the hearing that the shortage of drugs in his field is "a tragedy occurring in slow motion."
As Schumann noted, recently due to the shortage of one cheap, but well-proven cancer drug, he had to choose which patients will receive this drug.
The article notes that many of the cheapest drugs tend to be made in countries such as India and China, where they are inexpensive to manufacture.
However, this concentration of production capacity creates an additional level of vulnerability to problems such as natural disasters and political unrest, emphasizes The New York Times.
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The average duration of a drug shortage is 18 months, with some shortages lasting up to 15 years.

Economic factors, non-transparent supply chains, and the fact that 80-90% of some products are manufactured abroad contribute to the shortages.

Government intervention in pricing mechanisms can lead to market imbalances and shortages, as seen in the case of egg and medication shortages in Taiwan.

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News Review / Drugs and Eggs Out of Stock Government Incompetent and Interventionist
In economics, the “invisible hand ” refers to the fact that under the full operation of the price mechanism, the supply and demand of the market will reach the most appropriate balance, as if there are invisible hands guiding the general.
However, what people have seen in Taiwan in recent years is that the government's dirty hands frequently and aggressively manipulate prices, affecting supply and demand, and the market not only loses the freedom to operate, but also affects the supply, demand and quality of many goods.
Recently, the domestic egg price has risen and the supply has not continued, and many daily drugs have broken out of stock, and grass-roots pharmacies even have to "change drugs" to save themselves; the culprit is the government officials who are incompetent and love to intervene.
The egg shortage in Taiwan has lasted for more than a year.
The main reason is that the Council of Agriculture uses various methods to intervene in egg prices and wants to keep prices down, resulting in a lack of willingness to produce eggs and a reluctance to increase the amount of chicken raised.
Under such rigid market conditions, the supply of eggs is always insufficient, and the pressure of rising egg prices can not be alleviated, and the egg shortage problem of course continues to exist.
Chen Jizhong, chairman of the Council of Agriculture, said that he only promised to solve the "egg shortage" and did not say to solve the "egg price"; no one believes this statement, the facts prove that he has neither solved the egg shortage nor solved the egg price, and the egg market is still a lump of paste.
Eggs are ordinary people's daily food, whether the supply is insufficient or the price rises, will affect the people's sense of stability.
The formation of eggs from the shell to the laying of eggs, about 18 weeks.
Taiwan ’ s egg shortage, however, has lasted for 60 weeks, showing that excessive government intervention has caused egg farmers to lose their willingness to increase production, which has paralyzed market supply.
So far last year, the Russian-Ukrainian war has caused global grain prices to soar and feed prices to rise; the government does not let egg farmers reflect the cost, no matter how unreasonable repression.
Looking at it again, many commonly used Chinese and Western medicines have been out of stock recently, which is also related to government policy intervention; but compared to the egg shortage, the situation is more complicated and more worrying.
These drugs, from antibiotics, pain killers, fever reduction drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, soft stool, etc., a total of more than 100 kinds of drugs are commonly used in people's lives.
In the past six months, the situation has occurred that community pharmacies have repeatedly failed to call drugs, and many pharmacies can only respond with other pharmacies to meet the needs of patients.
Taiwan ’ s health insurance is known for its convenience and low price, but now there is a scene of “no medicine to buy ”. Who is violating the people ’ s right to health?
The Food and Drug Administration ’ s explanation for this “drug shortage ” is that many pharmaceutical companies have recently switched to production of Covid-19 related drugs, thus crowding out other drugs.
In fact, the global epidemic has come to an end, and this statement is outdated. The medical community believes that the more critical factor is that the government continues to reduce the price of health insurance drugs, and the proportion of drug costs in medical expenses should not be too high.
As a result of long-term repression, many drugs or pharmaceutical products are not produced by manufacturers because of their meager profits.
Worse, in addition to the lack of drugs, the quality of the drugs is constantly discounted, thus undermining the efficacy of the drugs.
After three years of fighting the epidemic, people have seen the Ministry of Health and Welfare fervently control the brand and quantity of vaccines, drugs, and reagents.
Of course, the free market is not a panacea for economic development. The government does not leave everything to the market to follow the flow, that is, to enjoy the benefits of the country and the people.
But on the other hand, such as the Tsai government's enthusiasm for regulation, intervention and subsidies, completely ignore the complex and interlaced factors in the market mechanism, and finally let the people suffer from price increases and shortage of goods, which is also an inevitable result.
Egg and medicine are just two recent examples. When it comes to oil and electricity, it is even more difficult to solve.
The Tsai government played a "visible hand", but the lack of goods and quality fell, but the people suffered. (Excerpt from the United Daily News editorial)
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The Taiwanese government's attempts to control egg prices have resulted in a prolonged egg shortage, lasting over 1 year, due to a lack of production incentives for farmers.