Will Pharmacies Run Short on Drugs and Medicine Due to Coronavirus?
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, people are stocking up on their essential medications, as well as seeking out the drugs that have been mentioned as possible COVID-19 treatments.
This mad rush for medications has some people wondering if a serious drug shortage is possible in the near future. Drug shortages occur when the supply of certain medications can’t keep up with the demand. The FDA takes many precautions to prevent shortages, but that doesn’t mean they never happen.
Here’s a look at what causes drug shortages, how the FDA prepares for them, and if we might experience a shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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How drug shortages happen
Medication shortages can happen for many reasons, and they’re not uncommon. The FDA maintains a comprehensive list of medications that are currently in shortage — and it’s a long list.
Sometimes there are issues on the manufacturer’s side that result in quality and safety concerns. This type of concern can range from low risk (like the wrong expiration date on packaging) to high risk (like contamination issues). Sometimes medications that people rely on are discontinued, which means a shortage could occur while patients work with their provider to find an alternate medication. And sometimes shortages happen if there’s a manufacturer issue with the production of an active ingredient in the medication — this is the reason people are concerned about shortages in the context of COVID-19.
No matter what the cause, a shortage occurs when the demand for a medication is higher than the supply. This means that there’s not enough of the medication to go around to all the patients and healthcare providers that are asking for it.
How the FDA prevents, prepares for, and responds to drug shortages
The FDA has preventive measures in place to prepare for the possibility of a drug shortage. Ultimately, it is responsible for determining how best to address and solve a shortage based on what caused it. For example, if it’s a matter of quality issues on the drug manufacturer’s end, the FDA works closely with them to solve the problem.
The FDA’s Drug Shortage Staff is made up of 11 scientific and regulatory experts who are responsible for everything related to preventing and responding to drug shortages. In addition to analyzing and responding to the cause of a shortage, our government agencies have a backup plan for just this type of emergency.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the parent organization of the FDA. The HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is an agency that leads the U.S. efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. ASPR is responsible for maintaining what it calls the Strategic National Stockpile. This is our largest supply of life-saving drugs and medical supplies, specifically to be used in medication shortage emergencies.
The FDA, HHS, and ASPR are all working together to monitor and respond to the risk of medication shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 17, the ASPR has communicated with 35 private industry partners for medical supply chain and delivery, added more than 175 staff members to the stockpile’s operation center, and shipped more than 333 tons of emergency supplies.
Will COVID-19 result in a drug shortage?
As of April 3, the FDA has reported that 17 drugs are experiencing shortages as a result of COVID-19.
Why does this pandemic cause concern about drug shortages?
According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, roughly 80% of the active ingredients in medications are manufactured in China and India. As the COVID-19 outbreak ramped up in China from late 2019 into 2020, business was dramatically impacted. Government officials in China implemented directives similar to the “stay at home” orders that many U.S. state and local governments are now issuing. As a result of these lockdowns, drug manufacturers in China had to shut down operations in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
These shutdowns have people concerned that there won’t be enough production of the active ingredients used in many medications.
How concerned should we be about more drug shortages as a result of COVID-19?
More shortages are possible. As a result of manufacturer shutdowns and increased demand for almost all medications, the supply chains are off balance.
In general, experts are saying that medication shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are a concern. But it’s not time to panic yet.
The federal government is working to prepare for the possibility of a drug shortage. The FDA says it has contacted over 180 drug manufacturers asking them to reassess their entire supply chain and stockpile of active ingredients, and remind them of the legal process required to notify the FDA of any anticipated supply disruptions.
Have other global events caused shortages?
One example of a recent global issue that raised concerns of medication shortages is the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. Also called “Brexit,” this cutting of economic ties left many industry leaders, medical professionals, and patients worried about how medication supply chains might be impacted.
As the United Kingdom’s Royal Pharmaceutical Society has expressed, 75% of medications come to the U.K. via the English Channel between the U.K. and France. An increase of custom controls at ports and other borders could result in a disruption of medications and the active ingredients needed to manufacture them.
Brexit is just one example of how any interruption in the medication supply chain can result in a shortage. When it comes to COVID-19, the situation is developing quickly, and changes are announced every day. GoodRx will continue to monitor these changes, including medication shortages, and keep you informed.
What should I do if there’s a shortage of my medication?
If the COVID-19 pandemic results in a shortage of your medication, here are some actions you can take:
Talk to your doctor about alternatives: If you’ve found a medication that works for you and your condition, it can be difficult to consider switching to something else. But this is often a good option if your drug experiences a shortage. Your healthcare provider will talk you through your concerns and needs and work to find you an appropriate alternative, if one is available.
Fill a 90-day supply: Many prescriptions are written for 30-day supplies. Speaking to your provider or pharmacist about switching to a 90-day supply will help ease your mind. If a medication shortage develops quickly, you’ll know you still have some time to work with your provider to make a plan during the shortage.
Call your pharmacy before you go: Before leaving your house, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, call your pharmacist to see if they have your medication in stock. If they don’t because of a shortage, they might be able to help you find it elsewhere. Once you’re at the pharmacy, follow these social distancing tips for using GoodRx coupons.
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