The Role of Compounding Pharmacists During Drug Shortages

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals were already experiencing shortages of key injectable drugs. Unprecedented demand due to large numbers of critically ill patients with COVID-19 contributed to these shortages, especially analgesics, sedatives, and paralytics. Advocacy efforts are successfully creating changes that may improve the current situation. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration tried to combat the shortage situation by increasing annual production quotas of controlled substances necessary for COVID-19 care. This situation was discussed by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in a press-release dated April 7, 2020. In addition to this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has provided guidance to compounding pharmacies, allowing for increased flexibility in the compounding and distribution of drug products. The website for the new guidances can be found within the resources provided in this article.