Pharmacists in the Channel Islands are experiencing an ongoing shortage of Creon, a digestion aid used by cancer and pancreatic disease patients, with supply issues persisting since summer 2024. Measures like shorter prescriptions and alternative treatments are being implemented to manage the situation, which is expected to continue for several months, prioritizing patient safety.
Israel is experiencing a new wave of COVID-19 cases, leading to a critical shortage of the antiviral drug Remdesivir, which is essential for treating severe cases. Hospitals report an increase in hospitalizations and criticize the Health Ministry's procurement policies. The ministry has announced that new supplies of the drug are expected to arrive soon.
Telehealth provider Ro has launched a new GLP-1 Supply Tracker to help patients find in-demand weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy amid nationwide shortages. The tool allows users to report drug availability and shortages, receive email alerts, and access updated information from the FDA. Initially developed for Ro's patients, the tracker is now available to the public to address the growing demand and supply challenges of GLP-1 medications.
Telehealth company Ro has launched a GLP-1 supply tracker to help patients find weight loss and diabetes drugs amid U.S. shortages. The interactive tool provides real-time supply information by drug, dose size, and pharmacy location, aiming to make GLP-1 availability more transparent and accessible. The tracker is free for anyone to use and allows users to submit updates on drug availability, with the option to report to the FDA. Ro hopes the tool will alleviate the challenges patients face due to the high demand and limited supply of these medications.
New obesity drugs like Zepbound are effective for weight loss but face supply shortages, causing users to struggle with maintaining their weight without the medication. Many, like Jonathan Meyers, experience anxiety and difficulty in managing weight when transitioning off these drugs, highlighting the chronic nature of obesity and the need for ongoing treatment.
Most doses of Eli Lilly's weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes drug Mounjaro will be in short supply through the second quarter of 2024 due to surging demand, according to the FDA. The shortage affects all doses except the 2.5-milligram versions. The company is working to increase production capacity and expects significant increases in the second half of the year, with new facilities planned for the future. The shortage reflects the high demand for these drugs, which are known as incretin drugs and are used for weight loss and diabetes management.
A persistent shortage of growth hormone, particularly the Norditropin brand, has caused significant distress for patients with conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome, leading to behavioral issues, weight gain, and other complications. Insurance companies' prior authorization requirements have exacerbated the problem, forcing patients and clinicians to navigate cumbersome processes and delays, with some families resorting to purchasing expensive medication from Mexico. While efforts are being made to ramp up supply and simplify dispensing processes, the shortage and its impact continue to pose challenges for affected individuals and their families.
Costco is now offering its members prescriptions for weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy through its health care partner Sesame, with a three-month subscription costing $179 for members and $195 for non-members. However, the high demand for these medications has led to shortages, with pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk struggling to meet the overwhelming demand. Novo Nordisk has even acquired facilities in an $11 billion deal to address the shortage, but the gap between demand and supply is significant enough to take years to close.
The national shortage of ADHD medications, including Adderall, Focalin, Ritalin, and Vyvanse, continues with no apparent end in sight, affecting millions of adults and children in the United States. The crisis, now well into its second year, is attributed to rising demand, manufacturing issues, insurance restrictions, and supply chain challenges. Patients and clinicians are struggling to find available medications, leading to workarounds and potential negative impacts on patients' lives. Efforts by industry and government agencies are underway to address the shortage, but the situation remains dire, with patients facing significant challenges in accessing essential treatments.
The U.S. is facing a critical shortage of syphilis treatment, leading to devastating consequences for pregnant women and their babies. Pfizer, the sole U.S. manufacturer of the necessary injections, has notified the FDA of an impending year-long stock out, blaming increased syphilis infection rates and competitive shortages. The federal government has been criticized for downplaying the crisis and failing to prevent drug shortages, with experts urging measures such as pressuring Pfizer for transparency and production, manufacturing the drug itself, reserving treatments for infected patients, and creating a national stockpile. The shortage is driving up infection rates, particularly among disadvantaged populations, and has led to a surge in congenital syphilis cases, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this public health emergency.
Veterans are reporting improved health after taking weight loss drugs like Wegovy, derived from the diabetes drug Ozempic, but new patients are facing a shortage of the medication. The Department of Veterans Affairs has seen a significant increase in prescriptions for semaglutide, but a global manufacturing shortage has led to a lack of supply for new patients. Some veterans have resorted to paying out-of-pocket for the drugs, while others have faced challenges in obtaining prescriptions through the VA. The shortage has also impacted state government coverage of the drug, raising concerns about the accessibility and cost of these medications for veterans.
The ongoing shortage of ADHD medications, including generics of Vyvanse and Adderall, is attributed to increased demand, supply chain issues, manufacturing and quality issues, and federal production limits set by the Drug Enforcement Administration. While brand-name products are available, many generic manufacturers are struggling to meet the demand, leading to shortages of amphetamine mixed salts, methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine. Patients are facing challenges in accessing their prescriptions, and the DEA believes its new production limits will be sufficient to meet the growing need for ADHD treatments in 2024.
Doctors in the US are facing a shortage of penicillin, the first-line treatment for the alarming surge in syphilis cases, which have increased by over 2,000 percent since 2002. The shortage has led to rationing of the drug, with priority given to pregnant patients due to the risk of congenital syphilis. The epidemic is partly attributed to a drop in condom use and the popularity of dating apps, while a wider drug shortage in America has left many without treatment for bacterial infections. The situation is exacerbated by manufacturing issues and supply-chain disruptions, with the pandemic also increasing demand for medication and equipment.
Experts warn that the national shortage of over-the-counter and prescription drugs poses a serious threat to patients' lives and health, with more than 250 active pharmaceutical shortages reported. The overdependence on international suppliers, particularly from India and China, has been identified as a major cause of the shortages, raising concerns about national security and patient safety. Lack of U.S. supervision and transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain has led to quality issues, putting patients at risk and highlighting the need for congressional action to address the ongoing drug shortage crisis.
More than a year after the FDA announced a shortage of Adderall, frustrations are growing as doctors and patients struggle to access ADHD medications. Shortages persist, affecting millions of children and adults with ADHD. Drugmakers blame limited ingredients and DEA regulations, while patients face delays, increased costs, and difficulty finding alternative medications. The FDA is working with manufacturers to mitigate shortages, but patients continue to experience significant challenges in obtaining their prescriptions.
