Drug shortages reached a record high in the first three months of 2024.
In the first quarter of this year, There were shortages of 323 types of medicines. That number is higher than the 2014 high of 320, according to data provided by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the University of Utah Drug Information Service.
Since 2001, the groups have tracked shortfalls using voluntary reports from practitioners and patients verified by drug companies.
There are shortages of both basic and life-saving medicines, from oxytocin and chemotherapy drugs to prescription drugs for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The data do not explain how many patients are affected.
From 2016 to 2020, average drug shortages affected. Over 500,000 consumersMany are seniors between the ages of 65 and 85, the Department of Health and Human Services shared in a report to Congress last May.
Diabetes and weight loss drugs are in short supply
The popular diabetes and anti-obesity injectable drug semaglutide, better known by brand names such as Wegovy and Ozempic, is currently facing a shortage. food and drug administration.
of FDA has listed Many medicines are currently in short supply.
“All drug classes are easy to run out. “Some of the most concerning shortages include generic sterile injectable drugs, such as cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications, which are stored in hospital emergency carts and treatment areas,” said ASHP’s chief executive officer. CEO Paul Abramowitz said in a blog post on Thursday.
Abramowitz added that a shortage of ADHD drugs also poses a serious challenge for patients and clinicians.
FTC and HHS investigating shortage crisis
Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services announced in February The agency said it would investigate whether drug wholesalers and companies that purchase medicines for health care providers were contributing to the shortage. The agency will investigate whether the group lowered the prices of generic drugs to hurt manufacturers’ profits, halt production or thwart competing suppliers.
HHS outlined recommended efforts to prevent supply shortages, including encouraging drug manufacturers and hospitals to invest in diverse supply chains and promoting market transparency.
Abramowitz said that while some of the Biden administration’s recommendations are in line with ASHP, the group has “serious concerns” about aspects of the plan, including a proposal to penalize hospitals that fail to comply with the recommendations. He said he was holding her.
“Much work remains at the federal level to address the root causes of drug shortages,” he said.
