According to a recent online survey conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), nearly 96 percent of Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) with PTCB's Supply Chain and Inventory Management Certificate reported experiencing drug shortages in their pharmacies. PTCB CEO William Schimmel commended pharmacy technicians for their proactive efforts in addressing these shortages and highlighted their essential role in healthcare delivery.

Schimmel expressed his admiration for pharmacy technicians' dedication to finding solutions for their patients, stating, "It's no surprise that pharmacy technicians are actively working on solutions to mitigate drug shortages for their patients." He also noted their collaborative spirit, even extending beyond the pharmacy where they work. "Some respondents told us they called drug reps to find medication for their patients," Schimmel said. "That just shows what a vital part pharmacy technicians play in healthcare delivery."

The survey conducted by PTCB revealed that certain categories of drugs are particularly affected by shortages. These include chemotherapy medications, drugs used for treating ADHD, GLP-1 agonists designed for weight management and diabetes (such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy), and local anesthetics like lidocaine. The survey also found that 72 percent of participants experienced either significant or very significant disruptions to their daily work routines as a result of these ongoing shortages.

When faced with drug shortages, pharmacy technicians strive to provide alternative medications whenever possible. However, the survey revealed that they encounter difficulties in fulfilling these alternative prescriptions 45 percent of the time. In cases where a substitute medication is not available, pharmacy technicians resort to their pharmacy's compounding services (28.79%) or seek assistance from another compounding pharmacy (6.06%). Additionally, collaborative efforts with other pharmacy teams were also reported.

The issue of drug shortages is not limited to individual pharmacies. In August 2023, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) conducted a survey among 1,000 of its members, revealing that 99 percent had encountered drug shortages, with 57 percent noting critical shortages in chemotherapy medications. ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz expressed concern about the growing and persistent nature of these shortages, stating, "We're facing shortages for more than 300 drugs, and that trajectory is growing. This reality is unsustainable for hospitals and patients alike."

The causes of current drug shortages are complex and involve different stages of the drug supply process, as explained in a document from the Committee on Energy and Commerce to the Subcommittee on Health. Economic factors, including market distortions and misaligned incentives within the supply chain, play a significant role. Pricing mechanisms, such as intense competition to lower prices for sterile injectable drugs, have made it challenging for manufacturers of low-cost generics to sustain their operations. This, in turn, has led to reduced investments in manufacturing capacity, both domestically and internationally. These economic pressures, combined with other factors, contribute to a lack of redundancy and increased risks related to quality and compliance throughout the drug supply chain.

In the face of these challenges, pharmacy technicians continue to play a crucial role in mitigating drug shortages and ensuring patients receive the medications they need. Their proactive efforts and collaborative spirit are essential in addressing this ongoing issue in healthcare delivery.