{"id":2041924,"date":"2023-09-22T19:34:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T23:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/96-of-pharmacy-technicians-report-drug-shortages-half-of-patients-never-get-the-medicine-they-need-survey\/"},"modified":"2023-09-22T19:38:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T23:38:28","slug":"96-of-pharmacy-technicians-report-drug-shortages-half-of-patients-never-get-the-medicine-they-need-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/96-of-pharmacy-technicians-report-drug-shortages-half-of-patients-never-get-the-medicine-they-need-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"96% of pharmacy techs report drug shortages, 50% of patients lack necessary medicine: survey."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F96-of-pharmacy-technicians-report-drug-shortages-half-of-patients-never-get-the-medicine-they-need-survey%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2041924&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>A trip to the pharmacy has become\u200c a thrilling gamble for patients\u2063 all across America as shelves are constantly running low on critical medications.<\/p>\n<p>According to a survey\u2062 conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, nearly 96 percent of pharmacy technicians have reported shortages of essential drugs. These shortages include medications for chemotherapy, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/walsh-kids-are-struggling-to-focus-during-online-school-now-theyre-being-diagnosed-with-adhd-this-is-cruel\/\" title=\"WALSH: Kids Are Struggling To Focus During Online School. Now They\u2019re Being Diagnosed With ADHD. This Is Cruel.\">attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder<\/a>, anesthetics, and popular diabetes and\u2064 weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Drug shortages are wreaking havoc in various \u200dareas\u200d of\u200c pharmacy practice, from retail to compounding and hospitals,&#8221; explained Anthony Longo, a doctor of pharmacy and director of \u200dpharmacy at Northwell Long \u2063Island Jewish Forest Hills\u200b in Queens, NY.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/opinion\/the-dangers-of-investigating-big-pharma-5496734?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>The Dangers of Investigating Big Pharma<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/22\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/opinion\/the-dangers-of-investigating-big-pharma-5496734?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/dietary-guidelines-captured-by-food-and-pharma-expert-5487924?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Dietary Guidelines &#8216;Captured by Food and Pharma&#8217;: \u2062Expert<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/8\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/health\/dietary-guidelines-captured-by-food-and-pharma-expert-5487924?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The current crisis underscores the urgent need for policy solutions to ensure a steady \u200csupply of essential medications.<\/p>\n<h2>Patients Desperately Seeking Medicine<\/h2>\n<p>The impact of drug shortages,\u200d especially for cancer medications,\u200b can be devastating for \u200dpatients. When \u200bthey \u200bare unable to obtain the necessary medicines, patients may\u2062 have to settle for less effective alternative\u2063 treatments. This can result in higher healthcare costs,\u200b longer hospital stays, and an increased risk of adverse reactions.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>To address \u200bthese shortage issues, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptcb.org\/news\/drug-shortages-impacting-nearly-all-pharmacies-ptcb-survey-finds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">90 percent<\/a> of surveyed \u200btechnicians said they offer substitute drugs when available. However, despite\u200d these efforts, almost half of \u2063the time (45 percent), patients still leave the pharmacy without their needed medication.\n<\/div>\n<p>When \u2063there is no equivalent drug available, nearly one-third of technicians resort to in-house compounding, while only 6 percent refer patients to\u200b external pharmacies. In-house compounding involves the preparation of customized medications \u200dwithin a healthcare facility, such as\u2063 a hospital or pharmacy, rather than \u200drelying on commercially available drugs.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Some technicians have reported collaborating with other\u2062 pharmacy\u2062 teams to\u2063 secure the necessary medications.\u200d &#8220;We hold weekly shortage calls as \u200da system to address these issues,&#8221; \u200dstated one respondent. \u2062Another technician mentioned the importance of swift action to prevent \u200ddisruptions in patient care.\u2064 Some have even gone the extra mile by reaching out to drug\u2062 representatives to locate medications\u200c for their patients.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s no surprise that pharmacy technicians are actively working on solutions to alleviate \u2062drug shortages for their patients,&#8221; remarked\u200d PTCB CEO William Schimmel. &#8220;I&#8217;m \u200cimpressed by\u2062 their collaborative spirit,\u200c even\u200b beyond the confines of their \u200down pharmacies.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Shortages Already Impacting \u200bPatient Care<\/h2>\n<p>This\u200b survey of pharmacy technicians echoes the findings of a survey conducted by the American Society of Health \u2062System \u200dPharmacists (ASHP) during the\u200b summer. According\u200b to Michael Ganio, a doctor of \u2063pharmacy and the senior director of pharmacy\u2062 practice and quality at ASHP, drug shortages have severe consequences for patients\u2062 and healthcare staff.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>These shortages\u2062 also place an additional burden on pharmacy technicians who are\u2062 already facing staff\u200d shortages. &#8220;This is an unsustainable reality for the \u2062entire healthcare system,&#8221; added Ganio.\n<\/p>\n<p>In\u200c July, the ASHP released the results of \u2062a survey on the current drug shortage crisis. The online survey, conducted from June 23 to July 14, received responses from 1,123 participants. \u200dThe ASHP reported over 300 active shortages by the end of Q2\u200c 2023, which\u200b is the highest number in nearly a decade and close to the all-time high of 320 \u200bshortages.\n<\/p>\n<p>In addition, nearly \u2062all respondents confirmed experiencing shortages in July.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Furthermore, 32\u2062 percent of respondents described the shortages\u200c as\u2062 &#8220;critically impactful,&#8221; meaning that\u200b treatments or procedures had to be rationed, delayed, or canceled. Among this group, almost 60 percent identified chemotherapy drug shortages as\u200c the most detrimental.<\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;Extreme&#8217; Competition and Other Factors Contributing to Shortages<\/h2>\n<p>The ASHP recommends implementing policy solutions that \u2062target the main causes of generic drug shortages, \u2063including quality control issues, disruptions in the supply chain, and intense price competition.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Low profit margins for generic drugs play a significant\u2063 role in\u2062 these shortages. Fierce competition\u200c has reduced the profitability\u2063 of certain generics,\u2064 discouraging manufacturers from investing in their production. Some \u2064companies choose to \u2063allocate their capacity\u200d to more profitable drugs instead of addressing the \u200bissues with \u200bless profitable \u2063generics. As \u2064a \u200dresult, certain drugs are no longer being manufactured.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>&#8220;This issue requires swift action from Congress to address the underlying \u200bcauses of shortages and ensure that\u200b patients have access \u2063to the medications they\u200c need,&#8221; emphasized ASHP Chief Executive Officer Paul W. Abramowitz.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What are the main consequences of drug shortages on \u200bpatient\u2062 care\u200d in hospitals?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ces for patient care.<\/p>\n<p>The ASHP\u2062 survey\u2063 found that 93 percent of hospitals in the United States have experienced drug shortages in the \u200bpast six months. These shortages have\u200d led \u2064to delays in patient treatment, changes in medication regimens, and disruptions in \u2063clinical\u200b trials. Ganio emphasized that these shortages not only affect critical medications but also everyday \u200cdrugs used\u200b in hospitals for routine patient care.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the survey revealed that hospitals are spending significant time and resources\u2062 to manage \u200cthese shortages. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are\u200c constantly\u200b monitoring \u2063inventory, contacting suppliers, and searching for alternative medications. This puts a strain on already overworked healthcare professionals\u2064 and increases the risk of medication \u2063errors.<\/p>\n<p>The causes of these drug shortages are\u200b complex \u200band multifaceted. They can be attributed to manufacturing issues, supply chain disruptions, increased global demand, and even regulatory challenges. COVID-19 has \u2063also played a \u2064role by causing disruptions in the\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-republican-candidate-david-mccormick-calls-for-whole-nation-strategy-to-combat-chinese-influence\/\" title=\"Exclusive \u2014 Republican Candidate David McCormick Calls for \u2018Whole Nation Strategy\u2019 to Combat Chinese Influence\">pharmaceutical supply chain<\/a> and increasing\u200c demand for certain medications.<\/p>\n<p>To address these shortages, the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare organizations,\u200d and policymakers must \u2064work together. Solutions may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/96-of-pharmacy-technicians-report-drug-shortages-half-of-patients-never-get-the-medicine-they-need-survey\/\" title=\"96% of pharmacy techs report drug shortages, 50% of patients lack necessary medicine: survey.\">include improving supply chain transparency<\/a> and communication, incentivizing \u2064manufacturers to produce essential medications, and \u200dimplementing contingency plans \u2062for potential shortages. Additionally, investing in domestic manufacturing \u2064capabilities \u2062can reduce reliance\u2062 on foreign suppliers and ensure a stable supply \u200bof critical drugs.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial that patients \u2064have access to the medications they need to manage their health\u2063 conditions. The current drug shortages not only jeopardize patient care but also \u200bplace an additional burden on healthcare providers.\u200c By implementing effective policy\u2064 solutions, we can \u2064ensure a steady supply of essential medications and alleviate the stress and uncertainty faced by patients\u200d and pharmacy \u200bprofessionals.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the widespread shortages of critical\u200d medications in\u2063 pharmacies\u200d across America are causing significant challenges for patients\u200c and healthcare providers.\u2062 These shortages have far-reaching implications, from \u2064compromised patient care \u2064to increased healthcare\u200c costs. Collaborative efforts and policy solutions are needed to address the root \u2062causes of these shortages and ensure a consistent\u200c and\u200b reliable supply of essential medications. Only then can\u2064 we truly prioritize \u200cpatient well-being \u200cand provide the quality care they deserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pharmacy visits in America are now risky due to widespread shortages of vital medications. A survey by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board revealed that 96% of technicians reported scarcities of crucial drugs, ranging from chemotherapy and ADHD meds to anesthetics, diabetes drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and popular weight loss medications.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1807,"featured_media":2041925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2041924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1807"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2041924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2041925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2041924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2041924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2041924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}