The nation is currently experiencing one of the largest prescription drug shortages in history and health care providers throughout the country are feeling the pressure. According to the article “Drug Shortage Reaches Idaho Falls” by Brett Crandall on LocalNews8.com, over 200 drugs are in short supply causing many patients a lot of stress.
Pharmacist Clint Rohner from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center says he has never seen a supply this low but the good news is that shelves are not totally empty. Hospitals throughout Idaho carry thousands of mediations covered by health insurance Idaho , but this year, many of the drug are on back order. They are prioritizing patients to receive certain drugs in short supply while other patients are receiving alternative medications to help spread out the shortage.
There are three main reasons for the shortage according to Rohner. First, some manufacturers are dropping out of the market because larger companies are taking over. Second, there is a short supply of raw materials to make the medications. The third reason is that the FDA occasionally stops production of certain products for safety.
Modern health care has contributed to the issue as many pharmacists are only keeping 1-2 days worth of product on their shelves since things can easily be ordered next day. While this process works fine when there is a large supply, it causes problems with shortages because the product runs out that much quicker. Previously, some drugs were kept in office with over a month supply so pharmacies were less fragile to shortages.
Shorter supplies mean higher prices which translates to higher costs for you and your individual health insurance company. If prices continue to rise, health insurance costs will follow and the whole health care system will become substantially more expensive which is not what the country needs right now.
The nation is currently experiencing one of the largest prescription drug shortages in history and health care providers throughout the country are feeling the pressure. According to the article “Drug Shortage Reaches Idaho Falls” by Brett Crandall on LocalNews8.com, over 200 drugs are in short supply causing many patients a lot of stress.
Pharmacist Clint Rohner from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center says he has never seen a supply this low but the good news is that shelves are not totally empty. Hospitals throughout Idaho carry thousands of mediations covered by health insurance Idaho , but this year, many of the drug are on back order. They are prioritizing patients to receive certain drugs in short supply while other patients are receiving alternative medications to help spread out the shortage.
There are three main reasons for the shortage according to Rohner. First, some manufacturers are dropping out of the market because larger companies are taking over. Second, there is a short supply of raw materials to make the medications. The third reason is that the FDA occasionally stops production of certain products for safety.
Modern health care has contributed to the issue as many pharmacists are only keeping 1-2 days worth of product on their shelves since things can easily be ordered next day. While this process works fine when there is a large supply, it causes problems with shortages because the product runs out that much quicker. Previously, some drugs were kept in office with over a month supply so pharmacies were less fragile to shortages.
Shorter supplies mean higher prices which translates to higher costs for you and your individual health insurance company. If prices continue to rise, health insurance costs will follow and the whole health care system will become substantially more expensive which is not what the country needs right now.