Managing Drug Shortages in Pharmacy

Causes of Drug Shortages

Drug shortages occur when demand exceeds supply and can be caused by manufacturing problems, raw material shortages, quality issues, regulatory actions, or unexpected demand surges. The FDA maintains a drug shortage database that pharmacies can monitor for updates.

When a shortage affects a commonly dispensed medication, the pharmacy team must act quickly to find alternatives, communicate with prescribers, and manage remaining inventory to serve as many patients as possible.

Managing Shortages

Pharmacy technicians help manage shortages by monitoring inventory levels, checking wholesaler availability, and alerting the pharmacist to potential issues. The pharmacist may recommend therapeutic alternatives, different dosage forms, or compounded preparations.

Communication is key during shortages. Patients should be informed about the shortage and any changes to their medication. Prescribers may need to be contacted for alternative therapy orders. Documentation of shortage management efforts is important for compliance.

PTCB Exam Preparation

Drug shortage management demonstrates practical pharmacy knowledge. Review with flashcards and practice with PTCB mini exams.