Entry Details

About the Entry

Category: 
All Content > News Analysis > Northeast

Title of entry: 
Amoxicillin Shortage Continues, But Alternatives Are Available

Issue or Publication date:
December 2022

Publication name: 
Pharmacy Practice News

Publishing/parent company: 
McMahon Group

View Website home page:
www.pharmacypracticenews.com

About the Publication:

Description of the enterprising work that went into this entry and its significance or impact on readers:

Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic to treat many bacterial infections. Last fall, the early and prolific season for respiratory illnesses (COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus) led to a shortage in some formulations of the drug used for children. Once posted, this story was the second-most viewed story on our website in 2022, despite being published in November. The story delved into the reasons for the shortage and gave actionable advice for how pharmacists can respond. I spoke with representatives of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and a healthcare technology company whose analysis illustrated the growing demand for amoxicillin, as well as a clinical infectious diseases pharmacist. When breaking this newsworthy issue down for our readers, I conveyed several key points:
• Most drug shortages are driven by supply disruptions, but this one was caused by a surge in demand. Some of this excess demand is related to bacterial infections that can co-occur with viral illnesses. However, there’s also concern that this antibiotic is being overprescribed for viral illnesses with no bacterial component, which could lead to the medication not being available when it’s truly needed
• There are alternative antibiotics that can be used if amoxicillin is not available in a given area, which I described
• Pharmacies shouldn’t try to preventatively overstock antibiotics
• Pharmacists should be prepared to explain to parents and prescribers why antibiotics shouldn’t routinely be prescribed to children with respiratory viral illnesses

Links to entry URLs

Please note: These URLs are only required for entries in the Online division categories, or digital entries in appropriate Overall Excellence, Design or All Content division categories.

Entry URL(s), if applicable:
Please enter a URL that will direct judges to the entry: 
https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Clinical/Article/12-22/Amoxicillin-Shortage-Continues-But-Alternatives-Are-Available/68866

Links to Uploaded Entry Files

Please note: The links below are the same links as clicking on the Preview images at the top of this column. You may click the links below to view and download each submitted entry file.

View/download entry file #1