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The impact of medication shortages on paediatric care: A retrospective impact analysis

Maaike Johanna Rutten-van Kranenburg1, Laurens Christiaan van Rijn1, Elisabeth Johanna Ruijgrok1

  • 1Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Medication shortages significantly impact paediatric patients, with anti-infective and CNS drugs most affected. Patient susceptibility and numbers greatly influence shortage severity, highlighting a need for paediatric-specific safety strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Paediatric Pharmacology
  • Drug Shortage Analysis
  • Healthcare Policy

Background:

  • Global medication shortages pose significant risks, particularly for vulnerable paediatric populations.
  • Limited availability of safe, evidence-based paediatric medications necessitates careful evaluation of alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of medication shortages on paediatric patients.
  • To evaluate the suitability and safety of alternative treatments during shortages.

Main Methods:

  • Semi-quantitative assessment of medication shortages in a Dutch tertiary care paediatric hospital (Jan 2022 - June 2023).
  • Scoring methodology evaluating clinical efficacy, safety, disease severity, patient susceptibility, patient numbers, and cost.
  • Impact scores calculated by multiplying component scores.

Main Results:

  • 32 shortages analysed; 15 high-impact and 7 moderate-impact.
  • Anti-infective and central nervous system medications were most frequently affected.
  • Patient susceptibility and number of patients were key factors influencing impact. Challenges included dosing variations, different dosage forms, excipients, and limited paediatric evidence.

Conclusions:

  • Medication shortages critically affect paediatric care delivery and healthcare professionals.
  • Highlights the need for paediatric-specific safety and efficacy considerations in policy and mitigation strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
alternative therapiesmedication errorsmedication safetymedication shortagespaediatric carepolicy

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