Drug Shortages At The Pharmacy

One of the biggest challenges for pharmacies is managing state or national-level drug shortages. Pharmacies fill prescriptions for customers with chronic disease, pain management, or unpleasant symptoms. Many local pharmacies cannot help patients due to high demand, low supply, and logistical issues. A backorder of medication can occur, with essential drugs unavailable until suppliers receive stock from manufacturers. Some vital medications are even discontinued, leading to shortages or lack of availability. With over 300 active drug shortages, pharmacies often turn patients away, leading to poor adherence and health outcomes. Compounding can support patients while proactively dealing with shortages.

Can compounding address these shortages?

With compounding, pharmacists can take ownership of the supply process impacting patients and pharmacies. Compounding is the practice of creating a custom, off-brand drug using raw materials. The compounding pharmacist is skilled in pharmacy practices and can recreate essential medication for patient use while making simple yet necessary adjustments. Compounding also mixes medication for combination therapy purposes or to address polypharmacy, which is the use of 5 or more drugs concurrently. Pharmacists also use compounding to address drug shortages. For instance, compounded off-brand versions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) can help meet the demand for this weight loss solution. Taking a proactive approach based on data and feedback helps pharmacies serve patients more effectively.

Benefits of compounding

Drug shortages lead to backorder issues and impatient customers who need ongoing therapy. Compounding allows pharmacies to source ingredients from independent suppliers and recreate an off-brand, but equally effective alternative. This proactive approach helps to fulfil requests while working around supply chain issues. Compounding’s custom features mean pharmacies can adjust doses, change forms, add flavors, and remove ingredients. For patients who need a custom medication, having a tailored prescription drug increases adherence and improves health outcomes. This builds the reputation of the pharmacy while opening opportunities for collaboration with healthcare providers and specialists.

Adopting proactive compounding strategies

Compounding drugs opens the door for proactive strategies that help pharmacies work around backlog issues and serve patients. Unlike manufacturers, compounding pharmacies can move quickly, creating batches of medication to meet anticipated demand or respond to local shortages. Sourcing raw materials becomes easier with proactive outreach to multiple suppliers. This flexibility ensures custom drug creation without the challenges of manufacturers. Accessing inventory management systems can help pharmacies monitor drug availability and predict potential shortages. The information helps with stocking ingredients and preparing for emergencies or demand fluctuations. The challenge lies with meeting industry and quality standards while moving quality to serve patients.

Compounding goes beyond backorders

Pharmacies do more than dispense medication. The pharmacy is an integral part of managing long-term conditions. When there are drug shortages and medication on backorder, pharmacies can struggle to serve customers. Take ownership of the medication process with compounding. Creating custom medications can help patients search for in-demand drugs. The added benefit of changing the dosage and form is also added for improved adherence and outcomes. Pharmacies adopting compounding become proactive, reducing the impact of unavailable prescription drugs on business success.