Worried About Critical Drug Shortages?
About 48% of American adults take prescription drugs and will continue to do so for many years. These medicines are often important to manage symptoms of chronic disease, reduce pain, or support healing. Pharmacies, therefore, depend on a steady stream of prescription drugs from manufacturers to serve patients. Drug shortages place a significant strain on pharmacies and patients alike. When manufacturers cannot meet demand or source ingredients, or there are logistical delays, shortages occur. Drug shortages are common with over 250 drugs in a multitude of categories. Some, however, can be critical, where there is a lack of access and minimal alternatives available. Pharmaceutical compounding is a valuable tool to prevent health crises and meet demand. Pharmacies can use this technique to navigate or even fill the void.
Downsides of drug shortages
Drug shortages are governed by demand and supply market forces like any other good or service. A recent example is the rise in popularity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss. Mass social media coverage and celebrity use shifted the scales from a type 2 diabetes drug to off-label weight loss therapy. Manufacturing delays and the acquisition of raw materials occur, leading to shortages. Critical drug shortages mean delayed treatment, use of alternative and potentially less effective drugs, and increased risk of errors. Patients who need lifesaving drugs are priced out by resellers or more expensive pharmacies. Shortages also impact healthcare providers with an increased workload and ethical dilemmas on who should get essential medicines. Pharmacies lose loyal patients or spend more resources sourcing drugs. Staying informed of drug shortages can help pharmacies be proactive with compounding solutions.
Turning to compounding
Pharmacies have the power to meet drug shortages with compounding. This process allows pharmacies to recreate an off-brand version of a drug or supplement. As pharmacists have a deep understanding of medication and ingredients, compounding pharmacies can source raw materials and duplicate a drug. Compounding also allows the combining of multiple drugs into a single-use form. For drug shortages, pharmaceutical compounding becomes a valuable tool to help pharmacists prepare unavailable medication. Moreover, compounding allows pharmacists to use alternative formulations. The team can change the dosage and change the form to liquid, ointment, sublingual, or transdermal patches. By using different ingredients or excluding others, compounding reduces side effects or helps to avoid allergic reactions. Compounding solutions helps patients to meet individual needs while supporting the growth and success of pharmacies.
Benefits during drug shortages
Compounding improves patient access to drugs as many therapies are ongoing treatments. If shortages stop treatment, patients can have worsening symptoms and poor outcomes. Compounding allows pharmacies to fill stock gaps, meeting patient needs. Custom medication is ideal for tailored health plans as pharmacies can create forms that can transform treatment. Moreover, compounding can alleviate some of the stress and workload on healthcare providers during shortages. Sourcing medication through other providers or across state lines costs time and money. Adjustments to therapies to accommodate shortages mean closer monitoring and more personnel, so compounding alleviates this burden. In the short term, this process is more cost-effective than finding the same drug elsewhere.
The future of compounding drug shortages
Drug shortages will continue to be a challenge, especially for weight loss, cancer treatment, and pain medication which tend to have regular supply issues. Compounding is poised to help fill gaps. Pharmacies that compound must do so by adhering to safety and sterility standards. The practice is evolving with more sophisticated technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Closer partnerships between hospitals will be vital as patients will soon look for customized medication first due to the many benefits. Compounding not only benefits pharmacy income but is a way to fill the void that reduces patient access to essential medications.
