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Insights into European Drug Shortages: A Survey of Hospital Pharmacists

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  • Kim Pauwels
  • Steven Simoens
  • Minne Casteels
  • Isabelle Huys

Abstract

Drug shortages are a complex and global phenomenon. When a drug cannot be delivered at the moment of patient demand, every stakeholder in the health care system is affected. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics, clinical impact, financial impact and management of drug shortages in European hospital pharmacies and identify opportunities for prevention and mitigation of drug shortages in Europe. An online survey was designed based on a review of the literature and interviews and was sent to subscribers of Hospital Pharmacy Europe between June and September 2013. Forty-five percent of respondents (n = 161) indicated that life sustaining or life preserving drugs such as oncology drugs were affected by drug shortages. More than 30% of respondents indicated that drug shortages in Europe were always or often associated with increased costs for hospitals, increased personnel costs and more expensive alternative drugs (n = 161). On the question when information about a drug shortage was obtained, 42% of respondents answered that information from the pharmaceutical company was obtained at the time of no delivery, 50% indicated that information from the wholesaler was obtained at the time of no delivery, while 40% of respondents indicated that information was never or rarely received from the government (n = 161). Fifty seven percent of respondents strongly agreed that an obligation to the producer to notify further shortages could help to solve the problem (n = 161). These results showed that pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers are already involved in the management of drug shortages, while a role is still reserved for the government. Mandatory notification in advance and centralized information can help to reduce workload for hospital pharmacists, will allow early anticipation of drug shortages and will facilitate mitigation of the clinical impact on patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim Pauwels & Steven Simoens & Minne Casteels & Isabelle Huys, 2015. "Insights into European Drug Shortages: A Survey of Hospital Pharmacists," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0119322
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119322
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dylst, Pieter & Vulto, Arnold & Simoens, Steven, 2011. "Tendering for outpatient prescription pharmaceuticals: What can be learned from current practices in Europe?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(2), pages 146-152, July.
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    1. Caijun Yang & Lina Wu & Wenfang Cai & Wenwen Zhu & Qian Shen & Zongjie Li & Yu Fang, 2016. "Current Situation, Determinants, and Solutions to Drug Shortages in Shaanxi Province, China: A Qualitative Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Elfi De Weerdt & Thomas De Rijdt & Steven Simoens & Minne Casteels & Isabelle Huys, 2017. "Time spent by Belgian hospital pharmacists on supply disruptions and drug shortages: An exploratory study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, March.
    3. András Fittler & Róbert György Vida & Valter Rádics & Lajos Botz, 2018. "A challenge for healthcare but just another opportunity for illegitimate online sellers: Dubious market of shortage oncology drugs," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Rozhin Doroudi & Pedro Sequeira & Stacy Marsella & Ozlem Ergun & Rana Azghandi & David Kaeli & Yifan Sun & Jacqueline Griffin, 2020. "Effects of trust-based decision making in disrupted supply chains," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Josephine Walker & Betty B Chaar & Numa Vera & Alvish S Pillai & Jessy S Lim & Lisa Bero & Rebekah J Moles, 2017. "Medicine shortages in Fiji: A qualitative exploration of stakeholders’ views," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, June.
    6. Jonathan Minh Phuong & Jonathan Penm & Betty Chaar & Lachlan Daniel Oldfield & Rebekah Moles, 2019. "The impacts of medication shortages on patient outcomes: A scoping review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, May.
    7. Vogler, Sabine, 2024. "Tackling medicine shortages during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: Compilation of governmental policy measures and developments in 38 countries," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    8. Bocquet, François & Degrassat-Théas, Albane & Peigné, Jérôme & Paubel, Pascal, 2017. "The new regulatory tools of the 2016 Health Law to fight drug shortages in France," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(5), pages 471-476.

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