Fluther: How often does the US experience medication shortages?

How often does the US experience medication shortages?

Asked by hmmmmmm (6865

) October 9th, 2020
13 responses
“Great Question” (2

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My sister was just informed that there is a Lupron shortage, so they might not have it for her next month. I looked it up, and it appears to be a legit problem nationwide. Wtf?

How does such a thing happen? Would there have been a drastic increase in cancer, resulting in a spike in demand? Or is the company just not making enough?

I understand that getting healthcare is difficult in the US due to lack of health insurance and extreme costs. But this is a whole other level of shit that I didn’t know existed.

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Answers

Wow, yes. I checked with my clinical pharmacist and there is indeed a national shortage of Lupron, apparently announced by the FDA yesterday. There is even a shortage on the “grey” market.

Shortages happen from time to time for various drugs but usually there are alternatives. It’s usually not that bad. I’m sorry about your sister.

Caravanfan (13534

)“Great Answer” (3

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Please let us know how it goes. I’m sorry about your sister too.

Dutchess_III (46830

)“Great Answer” (1

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@Caravanfan

Does the “grey” market include pharmaceuticals bought from a Canadian supplier?

Brian1946 (32284

)“Great Answer” (0

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@Brian1946 Honestly I don’t know. The clinical pharmacist at my hospital is a wizard when it comes to procuring drugs—AFAIK she gets them by standing on street corners (not really). But she’s amazing. If she tells me she has trouble getting a drug then I know that there really is an issue.

Caravanfan (13534

)“Great Answer” (1

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I have no idea, but it is a concern. I once had to wait a week for my thyroid medication, but I don’t know if there was actually a shortage, or it was just my pharmacy. I have had a prescription recalled at one time, and had to take a substitute, but it was not a big deal.

Birth Control pills can sometimes be used instead of Lupron depending on why she needs the Lupron.

JLeslie (65446

)“Great Answer” (0

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@Caravanfan – Thanks. If a manufacturer can’t (or doesn’t want to) create enough supply, is there no recourse? Do you know if there is anything related to patent law that would force the expiration of a patent and allow generics to enter the market? Seems like an odd scenario.

hmmmmmm (6865

)“Great Answer” (0

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After the hurricane hit Puerto Rico, I had to switch meds because of shortages, and COVID-19 is making it worse.

Tropical_Willie (31134

)“Great Answer” (2

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I just read that hospitals are running out of the flu vaccine for seniors.

YARNLADY (46384

)“Great Answer” (0

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Hey Tom on my iPhone and can’t tag. Honestly I wish I knew. Sorry I’m not more help.

I completely agree it sucks.

Caravanfan (13534

)“Great Answer” (2

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@YARNLADY Flu vaccine is made in limited supply, because next year there is a good chance the flu vaccine will have at least one or two different strains in it.

I don’t know how quickly they can make more if they run out.

JLeslie (65446

)“Great Answer” (1

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