Drug Shortages Reach All-Time High in US, Pharmacists Say

Drug Shortages Reach , All-Time High in US, , Pharmacists Say.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Utah Drug Information Service.

The first quarter of 2024 saw 323 active drug shortages, Fox News reports.

The previous record of 320 shortages was set in 2014.

ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz said, "some of the most worrying shortages involve generic sterile injectable medications," .

... "including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications stored in hospital crash carts and procedural areas." .

... "including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications stored in hospital crash carts and procedural areas." .

Abramowitz went on to say that the "ongoing national shortages of therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder also remain a serious challenge for clinicians and patients.".

A separate ASHP report said that "the most severe and persistent shortages are driven by economic factors that undermine investment in manufacturing capacity, manufacturing quality and supply chain reliability.".

These economic challenges are driven by extreme price competition among generic manufacturers, ASHP, via report.

ASHP will continue to engage with policymakers regularly as we guide efforts to draft and pass new legislation to address drug shortages and continue to strongly advocate on behalf of our members for solutions that work, ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz, via statement.

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a white paper recommending tactics for Congress to help.

With today’s white paper, HHS offers solutions and stands ready to work with Congress to ensure no patient faces the devastating consequences of drug shortages or goes without needed medicines, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, via press release