{"id":629048,"date":"2024-08-08T09:30:21","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T13:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629048"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T18:37:11","slug":"medication-shortage-how-to-help-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medication-shortage-how-to-help-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"How to help patients during medication shortages"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug shortages in the United States are extremely common.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Shortages <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">negatively impact the health system<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as they can compromise medical care, increase the risk of medication errors, raise the amount of labor and resources required, and increase patient morbidity and mortality. In addition, they can be extremely stressful for patients since they can limit their treatment options, delay care, increase costs, and expose them to potential side effects of unfamiliar drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As frontline providers, pharmacists play a key role in mitigating the impact of drug shortages on patients. Luckily, there are many ways a pharmacist can help patients during a medication shortage, such as procuring the drug through alternate suppliers or recommending therapeutic alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-medication-shortage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a medication shortage?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A medication shortage occurs when the demand for a drug is greater than the supply, according to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means the total supply of all versions of the drug cannot meet the demand for that drug. The FDA tracks drug shortages at the national level by obtaining information from drug manufacturers about their ability to produce medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common drug classes that have been in short supply include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-do-antibiotics-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrolytes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hormone agents<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chemotherapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central nervous system drugs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GLP-1 agonists<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"what-causes-a-medication-shortage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What causes a medication shortage?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many factors cause medication shortages. According to the FDA, manufacturing issues are the main reason for drug shortages. Supply and demand issues are also among the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3278171\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most common known<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> causes of shortages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other causes of medication shortages <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">include<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> drug recalls and business decisions such as a manufacturer discontinuing a product.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"manufacturing-issues\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manufacturing issues<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many factors can cause drug manufacturing issues. These may include outdated equipment, shortages in raw materials, and loss of production staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FDA also only approves a specific manufacturing line for each specific drug at a specific facility. If there is a drug shortage, manufacturers cannot simply produce that drug in a different facility or with different equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"supply-and-demand-issues\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supply and demand issues<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another cause of drug shortages is supply and demand issues. In some cases, the demand for a drug can increase suddenly, such as when an existing drug gets a new indication or therapeutic guidelines are updated. When this occurs, the supply of the drug can fall behind quickly, leading to a drug shortage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"drug-recall\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug recall<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/drug-recalls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drug recall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a voluntary action taken by a manufacturer to remove a defective drug from the market due to a potential risk. Drug recalls typically have a swift and significant effect on drug supply. While recalls are usually temporary, they have the potential to cause a drug shortage, depending on how long they last.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"business-decisions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business decisions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortages may also occur due to a manufacturer\u2019s business decisions. For example, a manufacturer may discontinue a drug due to insufficient profits, introduction of generic products, or mergers. Drug discontinuations can quickly lead to drug shortages as the FDA can\u2019t require a manufacturer to keep making a drug it wants to discontinue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-help-patients-during-a-drug-shortage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to help patients during a drug shortage<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, the pharmacy may be the first place patients learn of a drug shortage. Pharmacists may find themselves in a position to explain what a drug shortage is, what the reason for the shortage is, and offer solutions. Unfortunately, this means pharmacists may also encounter <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-calm-a-patient-down-in-pharmacy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frustration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from patients who cannot get their medication right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When dealing with a medication shortage, pharmacists may <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">address the shortage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from an operational or clinical approach. Patients don\u2019t typically recognize operational strategies, as they involve processes that happen behind the scenes. However, clinical strategies focus on alterations to a patient\u2019s treatment regimen.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"operational-approaches\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operational approaches<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacists have a thorough understanding of medication workflow. With this knowledge, they can implement operational changes that mitigate the harm of drug shortages to patients. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journalofethics.ama-assn.org\/article\/how-should-we-draw-pharmacists-expertise-manage-drug-shortages-hospitals\/2024-04\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AMA Journal of Ethics<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, these operational changes may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ordering the drug from an alternate supplier<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purchasing the drug from a compounding facility<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implementing different drug preparation processes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repackaging medications<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the specific shortage, inventory level, and familiarity with utilization trends, pharmacists can decide which of these methods would benefit their patients the most. For example, securing the same product from a different manufacturer or ordering it from a secondary wholesaler is a relatively seamless way to increase a pharmacy\u2019s supply of a drug. However, if this isn\u2019t an option, pharmacists may need to consider outsourcing to a compounding pharmacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"clinical-approaches\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clinical approaches<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As medication experts, pharmacists are well-equipped to recommend clinical changes that can minimize the impact of a medication shortage. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clinical changes may<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">include<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switching to an alternate dosage form or route<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommending therapeutic alternatives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rationing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canceling or delaying treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, clinical strategies are typically riskier than operational ones since they alter a patient\u2019s treatment plan in some way. Some strategies present ethical challenges as changing a patient\u2019s treatment regimen increases their risk of adverse effects and medication errors and can lead to suboptimal treatment of their condition. This is especially true for rationing and delaying or canceling treatment since both involve reserving the drug for a specific patient population that meets rationing criteria. Nevertheless, rationing is typically more common in hospitals than in community pharmacies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another impactful way pharmacists can mitigate the impact of shortages on their patients is by educating them about the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nabp.pharmacy\/news\/blog\/navigating-drug-shortages-pharmacists-help-patients-find-safe-alternative-sources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">risks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of purchasing drugs from unverified online pharmacies. Many unsafe online pharmacies sell medications that are fake, expired, or harmful. Pharmacists can help their patients by explaining the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/how-buy-medicines-safely-online-pharmacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signs of an unsafe online pharmacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and discouraging them from purchasing from these sources.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"bottom-line\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bottom line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many ways pharmacists can support patients during a medication shortage. Whether implementing an operational strategy or clinical change to mitigate patient harm during a shortage, pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring continuity of patient care.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drug shortages in the United States are extremely common.\u00a0Shortages negatively impact the health system, as they can compromise medical care, increase the risk of medication errors, raise the amount of labor and resources required, and increase patient morbidity and mortality. In addition, they can be extremely stressful for patients since they can limit their treatment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":629049,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9340],"tags":[788,743],"coauthors":[20969],"class_list":["post-629048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-checkout","tag-drug-safety","tag-pharmacies","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to help patients during medication shortage<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Navigate medication shortages with confidence. 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