How to navigate drug shortages with patients in primary care: Beneficial opportunities may exist beyond initial frustrations

• Published in: Canadian family physician 2024-02, Vol.70 (2), p.85-86
• Main Authors: Huyghebaert, Trudy, Svrcek, Clark, Perry, Thomas L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry; Primary care; Shortages
• ISSN: 0008-350X; 1715-5258; 1715-5258
• DOI: 10.46747/cfp.700285

Huyghebaert et al discuss drug shortages which are a persistent problem in Canada, with over 2700 reports received by Health Canada between 2022 and 2023. The top reasons for shortages are manufacturing problems, increased demand, and shipping delays. While many shortages do not result in patient care issues, there are instances where shortages can have a substantial impact on patients, such as the shortage of semaglutide. Pharmacists can often substitute available alternatives, but with semaglutide, few options are available. This may be due to cost and coverage issues or concerns about switching to a less effective drug. However, drug shortages can also provide opportunities for primary care providers to enhance patient care. Three questions to consider are: reducing the patient's dose, deprescribing the medication, and reevaluating the patient's therapy based on their goals and values. Primary care providers can navigate drug shortages by checking the Drug Shortages Canada web site for estimated shortage end dates, connecting with the patient's pharmacy for alternative options, discussing treatment alternatives with the patient, and considering deprescribing. Overall, drug shortages present ongoing challenges but also offer opportunities for clinicians and patients to reevaluate medication necessity and potentially improve outcomes.