Pharmacists Warn Antibiotics Are in Short Supply
Several items such as toilet paper were introduced at the start of the pandemic. Cleaning supplies), it became more difficult to find. Even though restrictions have been lifted, supply problems continue. EMT staffing shortages are majorMany people are able to do this. Diabetes And ADHD Accessing their medication is becoming more difficult. These aren’t the only drugs suffering from drought. An amoxicillin shortage has been impacting the U.S. for some time—and now pharmacists are warning that this is impacting other antibiotics. Find out why all antibiotics currently are in short supply.
READ THIS: It’s Not Just Adderall—These Medications Are Also Facing Shortages Now.
For some time, one antibiotic has been scarce. Amoxicillin oral powder to suspension has been available on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s FDA. drug shortages list Since Oct. 28. Amoxicillin has been a Penicillin antibiotic According to the Mayo Clinic, this treatment is for bacterial infections only and can only be obtained with a prescription from a doctor.
However, the FDA clarified in November’s alert about the amoxicillin shortage that this antibiotic is widely used for treatment of bacterial upper or lower. Respiratory infections In the pediatric population.” Last fall, the U.S. started struggling with a major early surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among children—and RSV often causes Secondary bacterial infectionsCBS reports that pharmacists will prescribe amoxicillin for the treatment of a number of conditions.
Michael GanioCNN was told by ASHP’s senior director for pharmacy practice, quality and administration, Jeremy Sullivan, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), that the high demand is creating a unique medication shortage. “Generally, what we see in the drug shortages is on the production side. In this case, we don’t have any indication from the manufacturers that they’re having any sort of difficulty with production,” He elaborated. “”This one is driven by demand, which seems a little unusual. It is not often that we see an increase in demand as a cause for a shortage.
Amoxicillin was declared safe by the FDA at the beginning of this calendar year. It’s not easy to get by for months, and as of Feb. 15, the agency still has the antibiotic listed as “currently in shortage” on its drug shortages database. This is also supported by most pharmacists right now. Jackson Pharmacy Professionals is a pharmacy staffing agency. Results released of its Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs on the Continuing Amoxicillin Shortage study, which was sent to 522 pharmacists and pharmacie technicians in the first two week of February 2023.
According to the survey, 72 percent of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians reported observing an ongoing amoxicillin shortage in the last 45 days. “Our pharmacists have told us heart-wrenching story after story about parents being forced to trek to several different pharmacies in desperate search of amoxicillin for their sick children,” Bobbi HensonJackson Pharmacy Professionals’ president said this in a statement.
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The U.S. is currently facing many problems because of the amoxicillin shortage. According to the Jackson Pharmacy Professionals survey this shortage is now affecting the supply of other medicines. One respondent stated that there is a danger of a domino effect. “Amoxicillin plays a vital role in healthcare… it’s the most commonly used antibiotic,” They replied. They said, “Due to this antibiotic scarcity, it has caused a chain reaction that has led to a shortage of all antibiotics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has issued guidance. Alternative treatments November was the month that amoxicillin was discontinued. It encouraged the use other antibiotics, such as cephalexin and ceftriaxone for certain infections. Many of these alternative antibiotics now have their own supply problems as the demand for them increases. “So it is, the doctor Makes use of a second optionThat’s impossible to find.” Brian StieberYoung’s Drug Store Pharmacy Manager in Wausau, Wisconsin told WAOW, a local ABC affiliate.
Our antibiotics aren’t made in the United States. USAntibiotics, America’s only manufacturer of amoxicillin, told Fox Business recently that this is true. Supply issues can be further addressed. “About 80 percent of all antibiotics and many medications are produced in either India or China, or overseas, in any case,” USAntibiotics President Patrick Cashman According to the news outlet. “And that puts us as a country at substantial risk, not only risk of not having the medications, but it’s, of course, a public health risk.”
According to the Jackson Pharmacy Professionals survey, nine out of 10 pharmacists pharmacy techs agree that the federal government should be prioritizing amoxicillin production in the U.S. to better strengthen and secure our supply—even if it costs more. “Any antibiotic that is that important should have at least a partial U.S. source,” One respondent stated. Another responded, “As Americans we need to prioritize our businesses and make amoxicillin readily available. Our citizens are suffering.”
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