Drug Shortages Already Happening

[OhioChick]

Keep in mind that we get a majority of our medications from China and India.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/

[RockCreek]

1. How does this compare to the normal level of shortages?

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2020, 08:02 AM - Edit history (1)

There were frequent shortages of various medications before this pandemic. Has the number changed?

[OhioChick]

4. From the medical community...

Many are already seeing shortages of medications.

I also heard that one hospice was almost out of Fentanyl.

[Norbert]

2. A friend of mine had to wait for blood pressure medication this week

Several people were bumping their 30 day supply to a 90 day supply.

[Elwood P Dowd]

5. I had the same problem last week.

Took a couple of days before the BP meds came in. Had a couple of refills left on the prescription, so I had them filled also.

[customerserviceguy]

9. I'm just glad

that Express Scripts said they had already sent my 90 day supply of blood pressure meds a couple of days ago.

We really need to manufacture critical items here in the US. I wouldn't mind paying a few bucks more to give Americans jobs.

[VarryOn]

3. My GP sent two migraine scripts to my local Walmart pharmacy yesterday...

For first time ever, both were out of stock. One was filled today after they received their daily delivery. On the other one, they said it might come in tomorrow.

[Ilsa]

6. I got an email tonight from Express Scripts about my

MIL's routine prescription not being available. Fortunately it's an older drug and I suspect it can be easily replaced.

[missingthebigdog]

7. I asked my doctor for a 90 day prescription.

I noticed last week that the price of my meds was climbing, and got worried about shortages. One med I take can’t be stopped abruptly without a lot of misery, so I asked my doc to call in a 90 day prescription.

The pharmacy did not have it, and had to order it. They asked if I was sure that I wanted 90 days- it was going to be $101.85. I said yes.

When I went to pick it up yesterday, it was up to $178.00. Fortunately, they sold it to me at the price it was when it was ordered, but still.

If 90 day prescriptions are an option, I recommend them highly.

[NutmegYankee]

8. Ouch.

I get three medicines at 90 day supplies routinely for less than $6 total. I guess it’s good to be on old fashioned anti hypertension meds.

[Raine]

10. China controls at least 90% of our drugs

so no surprise if we have a real shortage. I hope what drugs we have aren't wasted on cosmetic botox and crap like that!

[OhioChick]

11. China does control the majority

Their manufacturing isn't up and running yet so I read that India would take over in what China manufactures for the US.

A day or so later, India said they'd be manufacturing but keeping it for their own population.

It's hard to keep up with how much of this changes on a daily basis.