Prescription drug shortages a public health crisis, ACP paper says
The position paper offers recommendations to address current shortages and prevent future disruptions.
A new ACP position paper, published in Annals of Internal Medicine on Aug. 12, identifies prescription drug shortages as a national public health crisis and urges swift action to strengthen the medication supply chain. The position paper, “Bolstering the Medication Supply Chain and Ameliorating Medication Shortages: A Position Paper from the American College of Physicians,” offers recommendations to address current shortages and prevent future disruptions.
The paper notes that prescription drugs are essential to the practice of medicine and the health and well-being of millions of patients. Yet drug shortages have reached record levels, straining hospitals and physicians and negatively impacting patient care. The paper stresses the need for coordinated action by policymakers, manufacturers, and health systems to address the causes of this complex issue. The paper also outlines strategies such as strengthening supply chain monitoring, creating equitable allocation systems for essential medications during shortages, and reducing administrative burdens on physicians and patients.