According to a national survey published on Thursday, up to eight in 10 hospitals and pharmacists are facing a severe drug shortage, leading to the rationing of medications and delayed appointments. The survey, conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), revealed that there are currently 309 ongoing drug shortages, the highest number in nearly 10 years. This shortage is attributed to limited investment in manufacturing capacity, subpar manufacturing quality, breakdowns in the supply chain, and intense price competition among generic drug makers.
The shortage of drugs has had a critical impact on patient care, with 85 percent of pharmacists having to ration medications and 42 percent forced to delay or cancel treatments and procedures. This puts severely ill patients at risk as they miss out on necessary care. Chemotherapy drugs are among the most critically affected, with more than half of pharmacists reporting critical shortages in this area. Other drugs in limited supply include hormonal drugs, those used in intensive care units and operating rooms, and oral liquids such as ibuprofen and amoxicillin.
Apart from endangering patients’ lives, the drug shortage is also costing the healthcare system significant amounts of money. Managing shortages, purchasing alternative doses, and sourcing drugs from alternative suppliers all incur additional expenses. Pharmacists reported that the shortages added 5 to 20 percent to their budgets.
To cope with the shortages, most pharmacists have had to substitute the medication patients receive with a similar alternative. ASHP Chief Executive Officer Paul Abramowitz emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the current reality is unsustainable for hospitals and patients alike. ASHP has called on Congress to take swift action to address the underlying causes of the shortages and ensure patients have access to the medications they need.
ASHP’s recommendations to Congress include better enforcement of existing laws, penalties for manufacturers that fail to develop risk management plans, improved transparency in manufacturing quality, and support for the establishment of new manufacturers and manufacturing sites. These measures are crucial to reduce disruptions in the drug supply chain, particularly for lower-cost generic drugs.
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