Salt Lake City, Utah – Drug shortages in the United States have reached an unprecedented level, with pharmacists warning of the dire consequences for patients. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Utah Drug Information Service have reported a staggering 323 active drug shortages in the first quarter of the year, the highest number since tracking began in 2001.
This record-breaking shortage includes critical medications such as life-saving chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications kept in hospitals. ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz emphasized the vulnerability of all drug classes to shortages, with particular concern for generic sterile injectable medications used in cancer chemotherapy and emergency situations.
Among the medications facing shortages are oxytocin, Rho(D) immune globulin, standard chemotherapy, pain and sedation drugs, and medications for ADHD. The ongoing national shortage of ADHD therapies remains a significant challenge for healthcare providers and patients alike.
Short-term shortages are attributed to supply not meeting demand, but the most severe and persistent shortages stem from economic factors that hinder investment in manufacturing capacity, quality, and supply chain reliability. ASHP highlighted intense price competition among generic manufacturers as a driving force behind these economic challenges.
Abramowitz stressed the urgency of federal intervention to address the root causes of drug shortages, advocating for legislative action to combat this critical issue. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a white paper outlining recommendations for Congress to address the crisis and prevent patients from being deprived of essential medications.
ASHP continues to engage with policymakers to push for effective solutions to the drug shortage crisis. By advocating for legislative measures and prioritizing patient care, ASHP aims to alleviate the burden of medication scarcity on healthcare providers and patients across the country.