Heading into the 2023 flu season, the United States is facing a critical amoxicillin shortage that has been ongoing for almost a year. In a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, a group of physicians from Boston Children’s Hospital made an alarming discovery. Since the shortage began, the likelihood of children being prescribed amoxicillin for ear infections has dropped by a staggering 91%. The study consisted of 3,076 children with an average age of 3 years who received treatment from a single healthcare provider.
The study found that most amoxicillin manufacturers did not provide a reason for the shortage or an estimated timeline for resolving it. Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for their comments, but there was no response at the time of writing.
Amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for children and is commonly used to treat various bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, throat infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections, according to Medline.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially declared a national shortage of amoxicillin liquid on October 28, 2022. The shortage prompted the study authors to call for more active measures from the FDA to address the issue. In their journal article, they emphasized the immediate and widespread impact of drug shortages on prescribing patterns and urged regulatory agencies, policymakers, and health systems to monitor and intervene accordingly. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, suggested that the shortage might be due to both excessive demand for the drug and over-prescription by pediatricians for often viral infections.
While amoxicillin is not used to treat the flu or other respiratory viruses since they are caused by viruses, experts caution that these infections can lead to other conditions and infections that do require medications like amoxicillin. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that viral infections can often lead to ear infections, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Sometimes, bacterial infections can also develop during these viral illnesses.
Dr. Marc Siegel noted that a significant portion of the amoxicillin supply is manufactured overseas, particularly in China and India. He believes that the shortage is a result of overuse of the drug, both in terms of demand and over-prescription for viral infections. To address the problem, Siegel suggested that the FDA should work more closely with manufacturers, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could provide incentives.
In the absence of liquid amoxicillin, alternatives like cephalosporins can be used, but there is a concern about overusing these drugs and potentially promoting resistance. Walgreens, a major pharmacy chain, stated that they have taken proactive measures to meet the increased demand for amoxicillin. They are able to fulfill most prescriptions and may suggest therapeutic alternatives to prescribers or direct patients to other locations that can fill their prescriptions.
For more health-related news articles, please visit www.foxnews.com/health. Melissa Rudy, a member of the lifestyle team, serves as the health editor for Fox News Digital.
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