Mollie Wolfe, PharmD - Super V Drugs
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), there are currently more than one hundred drugs in shortage and chances are you or someone you know have been affected by prescription drug shortages. Two main groups that have been in recent news have been attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications and diabetic injections. We’ll dive into some common questions regarding drug shortages with these specific medications and how a local independent pharmacy like Super V Drugs can help!
What does a drug shortage mean exactly?
Basic economics follows the ebb and flow of supply and demand. Oftentimes an imbalance is most noticed when there is not enough supply to meet demand. In the case of drug manufacturing, the FDA states that a drug is considered to be in shortage when the total supply of all versions manufactured cannot meet the current demand nor the projected demand at the patient level. These low supplies happen for various reasons including quality control, raw material delays, drug discontinuations, and limited production lines specific for injections. Our pharmacists at Super V Drugs stay up to date on drug shortages and can help you navigate the constant changes.
Why is ADHD medication in short supply?
In October 2022, the FDA announced a shortage of generic Adderall due to a major drug manufacturer, Teva, experiencing a multitude of delays. In addition, other manufacturers were not able to keep up with the projected demand without a major manufacturer such as Teva. This initial dip in supply essentially created a cascade effect with other ADHD products due to prescribers switching patients to other similar products to aid in the short supply of their original medication. Our pharmacists are able to identify alternative manufacturers currently available every day and notify patients when their drug manufacturer has been switched while maintaining the same active ingredient of their medication.
What is Ozempic and why is it in high demand?
Ozempic, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has made its way across all media platforms as a new trend for weight loss, although that is not its official intended use. The brand name Ozempic’s sole FDA-approved indication is for treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and it works by a few different pathways to overall decrease appetite and increase your body’s use of its own insulin. Its generic name, semaglutide, is in another medication called Wegovy that is approved for weight loss and reported adults in trials lost as much as 15% of their total body weight. Despite the proven effective weight loss from semaglutide products, many insurance companies do not cover weight loss medications. However, there may be coupons available to help with costs and our pharmacists can help you determine your eligibility.
What can someone do about their drug being in short supply?
The FDA advises consumers to talk to their provider about alternatives to their medications if it is found to be unavailable when needed. The FDA also encourages providers to re-evaluate the medication’s appropriate and responsible use. Our pharmacists at Super V Drugs work directly with you and your doctor to find alternatives. We order daily from various certified suppliers to ensure our patients don’t go without their medications. If you need help finding your medication and want to receive personal care from a local independent pharmacy, call us at Super V Drugs and we would love to help you any way we can!
References
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Sem aglutide%20Injection&st=c&tab=tabs-1
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-shortages/frequently-asked-questions-about-drug-shortages https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-announces-shortage-adderall https://www.fda.gov/media/170736/download?attachment
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medicatio ns-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medicatio ns-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss
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