WASHINGTON — The United States is experiencing drug shortages more than ever before, according to data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service.
These organizations first began tracking drug shortages in 2001. Actual shortages previously peaked in 2014, with 320 medicines currently in short supply. Since then, shortage levels have fluctuated over the decade, but have been on a steady upward trend since 2021, currently reaching an all-time high of 323 medicines in the first three months of 2024.
“It's long past time to end drug shortages,” Paul Abramowitz, CEO of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, said in a blog post Thursday.
“Drugs of all types are susceptible to shortages,” he wrote. “Some of the most concerning shortages include generic sterile injectable drugs, such as cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications kept in hospital emergency carts and procedure rooms. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Continued nationwide shortages of drugs to treat sexual disorders also remain a significant challenge for clinicians and patients.
In addition to the 32 chemotherapy drugs that are in short supply, the five categories of medicines that are in shortest include central nervous system stimulants, antibiotics, hormones, and intravenous fluids.
The Drug Shortage Database, maintained by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah, is based on voluntary reports from physicians, patients, and others that are verified with manufacturers. This list often includes more drugs than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers to be in short supply because of the wide range of implications for healthcare providers and patients. there is.
On average, drug shortages last about a year and a half, according to government data. More than half of treatment shortages last for more than two years, according to an analysis by health consulting firm IQVIA. The average shortage affects at least 500,000 patients, many of them elderly, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, who shared that analysis with Congress in May.
Increased demand can contribute to drug shortages, such as the recent shortage of weight loss drugs. But in many cases, there are underlying manufacturing or quality issues, such as supply chain gaps or manufacturing discontinuances.
Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services released a white paper outlining policy proposals to prevent drug shortages and reduce vulnerability. Among the key recommendations include collaboration with manufacturers and hospitals aimed at bringing transparency to pharmaceutical markets and encouraging investment in resilient and diverse supply chains.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists has “serious concerns” about parts of the proposal, particularly the fines for hospitals that lack the resources to comply with the recommendations.
“We all know that managing shortages is not enough, nor is it a sustainable solution to a worsening crisis,” Abramowitz wrote. “Much work remains at the federal level to address the root causes of drug shortages.”
contribution: jen christensen