Some opioids, chemotherapy drugs and other generic drugs are in such short supply that patients are scrambling to refill their prescriptions.
“Opiates are certainly not used as much as chemotherapy, but sometimes there is a shortage of some of the generic drugs,” said Elvis Atencio, a pharmacist and owner of Chula Vista Pharmacy.
“The oncology shortage is particularly acute,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf. NBC News In May 2023.
According to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in March 2023 reportShortages of new drugs increased by nearly 30% from 2021 to 2022 and are now at record levels.
Some people in San Diego are feeling the effects.
“I feel like I'm in hell,” said Linda Dixon of La Jolla.
Dixon was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and suffers from bouts of pain.
In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, Dixon is also prescribed opiates to deal with the severe pain he experiences at times.
She said she is now having trouble refilling her medication.
“I don't play golf anymore. I don't do anything I like. Pain is horrible to deal with every day. It makes you tired and ages you,” Dixon said.
Some pharmacists said the problem didn't seem to be getting better.
Pharmacies often work with other pharmacies to help patients fill prescriptions, but pharmacists NBC 7 spoke to said that alone won't solve the broader problem at hand.
