Pharmacy Workflow During Drug Shortages: Strategies and Best Practices

The Reality of Drug Shortages

Drug shortages have become a persistent challenge in pharmacy practice. The FDA tracks hundreds of active shortages at any given time, affecting everything from generic injectables to critical care medications. Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in managing these disruptions.

Common Causes of Drug Shortages

• Manufacturing quality issues or facility shutdowns
• Raw material supply chain disruptions
• Increased demand during disease outbreaks
• Regulatory actions or recalls
• Natural disasters affecting production sites

Workflow Adjustments for Technicians

Inventory Management

Technicians should monitor shortage lists from the ASHP and FDA regularly. Setting par levels, tracking expiration dates closely, and communicating with wholesalers about estimated restocking dates are essential daily tasks.

Therapeutic Alternatives

When a shortage occurs, pharmacists will identify therapeutic substitutions. Technicians must accurately process these alternatives, update patient profiles, and ensure the new NDC numbers are correctly entered into the dispensing system.

Communication

Keeping prescribers informed about current shortages helps prevent delays. Technicians often prepare shortage notification reports that the pharmacist reviews before sending to clinic staff.

Documentation Is Critical

Every substitution and shortage-related decision must be documented. This protects the pharmacy legally and ensures continuity of care when the original product becomes available again.

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