What's behind shortages of Adderall, Ozempic and other meds?

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

What’s behind shortages of Adderall, Ozempic and other meds?

By TOM MURPHY
April 30, 2023

Shortages of drugs like Adderall are growing in the United States, and experts see no clear path to resolving them. For patients, that can mean treatment delays, medication switches and other hassles filling a prescription.

In recent months, unexpected demand spikes, manufacturing problems and tight ingredient supplies have contributed to shortages that stress patients, parents and doctors. For some drugs, such as stimulants that treat ADHD, several factors fueled a shortage and make it hard to predict when it will end.

Shortages, particularly of generic drugs, have been a longstanding problem. The industry has consolidated and some manufacturers have little incentive to solve shortages because cheap generics generate thin profits.

Here’s a deeper look at the issue.

HOW MANY DRUG SHORTAGES ARE THERE?

There were 301 active national drug shortages through this year’s first quarter, according to the University of Utah Drug Information Service. That’s 49% higher than the 202 recorded in the first three months of 2018.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/drug-shortages-adderall-ozempic-855632a04a17c2bf75b6a89e4c08ef79

[intrepidity]

1. Let me guess: to increase prices?

Fox says the stimulant shortage has been particularly frustrating. Companies have said they aren’t getting enough raw materials to make the drugs, and the federal government says companies aren’t using what they have.

“There’s been a lot of finger pointing back and forth,” Fox said.

More demand + less supply = opportunity to increase profit

I've already seen it, price jacking for meds in short supply.

[Blue Owl]

3. Some kind of fake crisis for sure, with increased profits as the end game

[Eugene]

4. The article suggests two things: less reliance on foreign suppliers for key raw materials and

better public visibilty of the supply chain for both regulators and consumers.

“There’s been a lot of finger pointing back and forth,” ...

[hippywife]

2. I was on Ozempic for a while...

and it was getting so hard to locate because of people using it for weight loss, their doctors writing it off label, when people like me really needed it for our diabetes. Weight Watchers eve bought some company so they'll now be able to provide it, as well.

https://www.salon.com/2023/03/06/rich-people-are-hogging-ozempic-making-the-harder-to-access-for-people-with-diabetes/

https://www.salon.com/2023/04/27/social-media-is-fueling-enthusiasm-for-new-weight-loss-drugs-are-regulators-watching_partner/

[Warpy]

5. You'd think the brand name guys would jump at the chance

to sell their more expensive drugs while generics are in short supply, thus generating some windfall profits.

Something else is at work here, from planned shortages to up the price to diversion of stocks to organized crime, both of which have happened in the past with other drugs.