Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Kero) — Americans are facing a prescription drug shortage, and South Dakota is no exception.
The ongoing shortage is the highest in nearly a decade, according to the American Association of Health System Pharmacists.
No pharmacist wants to tell a parent that their child doesn’t have a common drug like amoxicillin.
“I’ve been doing this for many years, but last winter was tough. It’s hard to tell someone that I can’t provide what your child needs. We were able to work with ,” Lewis’ chief pharmacist Sarah Hahn said.
Drug shortages are nothing new, but the South Dakota Department of Health says drug shortages are becoming more frequent and prolonged.
In a recent report, state health departments said the United States is overly dependent on foreign sources of prescription drugs.
“What’s new and getting worse is the reliance on a single source for the supply chain. The US no longer has the capacity to manufacture our medicines, especially generics,” said SD Health. Department Secretary Melissa Magstadt said.
Gov. Christy Noem announced Wednesday that the Department of Health will expand its stockpile of emergency medicines in case of shortages.
Stockpiles are now located in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
“Today I am announcing that we will be stockpiling five more regions, including Aberdeen, Mobridge, Hot Springs, Pierre and Yankton,” said Gov. Christy Noem.
Noem said more drugs will be added to the stockpile, including albuterol, insulin and pediatric amoxicillin.
The governor has also sent letters to members of Congress and the FDA asking for a more permanent solution.
Noem is seeking solutions such as increasing the diversity of generic drug manufacturing and reconsidering drug expiration dates.
“South Dakota can do what we can, but to truly make a long-term change, we need all capable leaders working together to care about this issue,” said Noem. said.
