Cold, Flu, and RSV season (sometimes called “tridemic or tripledemic”) has resulted in several prescription drug and OTC shortages despite several attempts to fix the problem. The problem is not isolated to certain prescription antibiotics. Over-The-Counter cold and flu medication, pain medication, and breathing treatment medication such as albuterol are becoming a hassle to find in certain areas of the U.S. Other medications are suffering intermittent shortages as well. Lately, it is not uncommon to need to search multiple pharmacies to find a particular medication due to the shortages.

There are several reasons and theories contributing to these shortages including but not limited to drug discontinuation secondary to manufacturing costs and lack of profit, lack of incentives by drug companies to produce the drug, poor supply chains including chemicals for production, regulatory challenges, and consumer hoarding of medications due to concerns of supply.

Eventually, as the world economy continues to open and the tridemic stabilizes with reduction of cases there will likely be improvements in the drug shortages. Until then, strict prescribing of medication to be taken only when medically necessary (antibiotics, etc) when there are no appropriate alternatives should be practiced. In addition, reducing hoarding by consumers of OTC medication that isn’t required for treatment should also help improve the shortage while manufacturers work to increase production. Overall, a team effort between the general public and providers would likely help improve the prescription drug and OTC medication shortage.

Administrator