Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Liquid antimicrobials: a national analysis of critical shortages
Nikolaus Riesenhuber1, Maxine Krauss2, Korinna Moßburger2
1Pharmacy Service, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria nikolaus.riesenhuber@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Medicine shortages, especially those involving antibiotics, pose a global public health dilemma that can lead to adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the supply situation of various antimicrobials in liquid dosage forms, which represent the mainstay of therapy for paediatric infections. The availability was examined over a period of 27 weeks in Austria. During the time period investigated, 34 products (81.0%) were not available for over 50% of the time; eight of those (19.0%) experienced complete unavailability. Only four products (9.5%) demonstrated continuous availability. Regarding penicillin antibiotics, amoxicillin was not available for 77.8% of the time (21 weeks) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 59.3% (16 weeks). Regular monitoring of availability status can help mitigate this issue; however, cross-national strategies are urgently needed to guarantee a constant supply in the future.
Insights
Medicine shortages of liquid antibiotics, crucial for children's infections, are a major concern. In Austria, most antimicrobial products were unavailable for over half the study period, highlighting a critical supply issue.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Paediatric Medicine
Background:
- Medicine shortages, particularly antibiotics, present a significant global public health challenge.
- These shortages can result in adverse patient health outcomes.
- Liquid antimicrobial dosage forms are essential for treating pediatric infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the availability of various antimicrobial agents in liquid formulations.
- To assess the supply situation over a 27-week period in Austria.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring the availability of liquid antimicrobial products over 27 weeks.
- Quantifying the duration and extent of product unavailability.
Main Results:
- 81.0% of 34 assessed antimicrobial products were unavailable for more than 50% of the study period.
- 19.0% of products experienced complete unavailability during the observation period.
- Specific penicillin antibiotics, amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, showed significant periods of unavailability (77.8% and 59.3%, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Continuous availability was observed for only 9.5% of the studied antimicrobial products.
- Regular monitoring is recommended to mitigate antimicrobial shortages.
- Cross-national strategies are essential to ensure a consistent future supply of these vital medicines.
More Related Videos
08:58Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
12:08Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing by Stimulated Raman Scattering Imaging of Deuterium Incorporation in a Single Bacterium
Published on: February 14, 2022
