This illustration image shows tablets of opioid painkiller Oxycodone delivered on medical prescription taken in September 2019 in Washington, DC. Austin police are investigating a sudden surge in suspected opioid overdoses.Millions of people in the U.S. depend on prescription drugs to manage pain, treat medical conditions, and even help them stay alive.
But the country’s drug shortage is making it hard for some people to get the medication they need or pay for the drugs that are available.The FDA says 90% of prescriptions written in the U.S. are for generic drugs. And according to the National Institutes of Health, most drugs involved in shortages are generic options.Filling certain prescriptions is an ongoing battle for doctors and patients in the U.S.
Start your morning with our daily forecast, trending news and stories curated by The Morning Show team.The FDA says shortages are often linked to manufacturing and quality problems, delays, and discontinuation. Among the drugs on the list are two drugs used in chemotherapy; Adderall, which is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy; lidocaine, a local anesthetic agent used to numb the skin and treat pain; and amoxicillin, which treats bacterial infections and is often prescribed to kids.
Experts say drug shortages also mean higher prices. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is a 16.6% increase in the price of drugs involved in a shortage. And in some cases, alternative drugs were priced at least three times higher.Check the national drug shortage list for your medication and possible alternativesCheck other pharmacies for availabilitySome patients have reported that they receive additional help to reduce some prescription costs from $100 to $10.