Drug shortage crisis in America reaches record levels

Shortages of the most commonly used medications in the United States are higher than ever, according to data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service.

According to CNN, these institutions began tracking drug shortages in 2001, and active shortages had previously peaked in 2014, with an actual shortage of 320 drugs. Shortage levels have fluctuated in the decade since then, but have begun to decline. Rising steadily again since 2021, it now stands at a record high of 323 properties in the first three months of 2024.

“It is long past time to end the drug shortage,” Paul Abramowitz, chief executive officer of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, wrote in a blog on Thursday.

He added, “All categories of medicine are vulnerable to shortages, and perhaps the most worrisome shortages are generic injectable medicines, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medicines stored in recovery and recovery areas and in operating rooms, in addition to the ongoing national shortage of treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.” Activity, as it still poses a serious challenge for clinics and patients.”

In addition to the shortage of about 32 chemotherapy drugs, the five classes of drugs suffering from the largest shortages include central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormonal therapy, 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 practitioners, patients and others confirmed by manufacturers, and this list often includes more drugs than the US Food and Drug Administration considers to be in shortage, because it cares about the effects Broader scope for providers and patients.

The average drug shortage lasts about a year and a half, according to government data, while more than half of the drug shortage cases last more than two years, according to an analysis conducted by the health consulting company ICIVIA, and this average shortage affects at least half a million patients, many of whom of older adults, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, which shared its analysis with Congress in May.

Increased demand can play a role in overcoming drug shortages, as happened recently with shortages of weight-loss drugs, and often manufacturing and quality issues, such as supply chain gaps and suspensions, are the root causes.

Last week, Haiti’s Ministry of Health published a proposal outlining policy recommendations to help prevent drug shortages and alleviate shortages. Among the key recommendations are cooperation with manufacturers and hospitals to achieve transparency in the drug market and stimulate investment in resilient and diversified supply chains.

The White House also proposed earlier this month to spend between $3.26 billion and $5.11 billion over a decade to help resolve the crisis.