The supply chain shortage is now impacting pharmacies across the nation. A large variety of medicines are getting harder to get with the supply of pharmaceutical drugs now shrinking.
It's a scary thing to think of, but that is dire straits for some of these folks,” said Justin Coby, Director of Pharmacy, at Cedarcare Village and Pharmacy.
The FDA has over 100 drugs on its shortage list. Fentanyl, which is commonly used in hospitals for ventilated COVID patients, is one of the major drugs shortlisted.
“The FDA has 114 to 117 different medications out there,” said Coby. “So, it's medications for hypertension, it's antibiotics, it's across the board that there's issues going on.”
Drug shortages due to manufacturer issues have happened in years past, but any current issues are now heightened.
Challenges we are seeing with shipping port congestion, lockdowns, labor shortages, it's really impacted our ability to get those initial active ingredients,” added Josh Walker, Director of Pharmacy at Springfield Regional Medical Center.
The FDA said it's taken steps to monitor the supply chain and has asked manufacturers to evaluate their entire supply chain and any components that may be impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. However, with 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients made overseas in China, India, and Europe, challenges continue to follow.
“It’s changed from one to two things, to now we are managing upwards of 100 things. that are on shortage right now,” Walker said.
Certain, vital drugs for patients can't even get made.
“There are cases where there's medication, where there's not another generic that does the same thing,” said Coby. “So, there are folks that will go inevitably without medication right now.”
Pharmacists said they are working around the clock to figure out solutions for patients when problems arise. They add that patients' health and safety remain the highest priority.