Ensuring Access to Medications in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rapidly evolve. Given the origins of COVID-19 in China, there were initial concerns regarding medication shortages due to the reliance of the US on overseas manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. 1,2 Although no major disruptions in pharmaceutical access have occurred thus far, the future of the pandemic and its effect on the US drug supply remains far from certain. The pharmaceutical supply chain represents a series of interdependent steps that ultimately produce the products that are used by consumers in the US. From manufacturers, pharmaceuticals are shipped through wholesalers or distributors and on to retail, specialty, and mail-order pharmacies as well as to hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, clinics, and other sites of care. Retail pharmacies have an especially important role in this process, dispensing more than 85% of all prescription medications in the US. 3 From manufacturers to end users, the pharmaceutical supply chain is vast, employing tens of thousands of workers who manage the annual distribution of an estimated nearly 6 billion prescriptions in the US. 3

Managing medication supply chains: Lessons learned from Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and preparedness planning for the future

“…Inputs from all these interdependent stakeholders are important for establishing transparent preparedness and contingency plans to address drug shortages affected by disruptions of overseas manufacturing or stockouts in pharmacies owing to medication misallocation. 8,9 Early preparedness and contingency plans to address potential medication shortages Before the COVID-19 crisis, in 2012, Taiwan FDA had already set up a drug supply and shortage information network in which an online platform is provided for the public to report cases of medication shortages. 7 Once a case is filed, Taiwan FDA will immediately activate an evaluation and management protocol to identify alternative drugs or therapeutic approaches, confirm stockpile volumes, estimate the time duration of shortages, and, when necessary, initiate nationwide integration and mobilization to start the case-specific manufacture or import procedure.…”

COVID‐19 and older people in Asia: Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia calls to action

“…In settings where the level of digital literacy is low, traditional media such as television and radio can still play a critical role in the multi‐pronged strategy for public health messaging and helping older people stay connected. Ensuring access to emergency services, medications and food supplies during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Measures at the systems level to ensure medication access include prevention of stockpiling and drug shortages, as well as expanding capacity for online medication refill and home delivery; incentives should be provided for pharmacies, particularly independent stores located in underserved areas, to offer home delivery services at no cost …”

Together we unite: the role of the Commonwealth in achieving universal health coverage through pharmaceutical care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

“…However, we should be aware that ICT should help address and not add to existing inequities both within societies and between LMICs [13]. The use of electronic or faxed prescriptions and 'mail-order' or 'home-delivery' pharmacy models to facilitate remote healthcare are all potential solutions that can help ensure ongoing pharmaceutical supply to patients whilst minimising the need for in-person interactions [8,14]. However, the technology required to support these models of care delivery are not fully integrated in some countries, including many LMICs.…”

“…Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new, unprecedented health and ethical challenges [7] such as questions on how to ensure ongoing, equitable access to pharmaceutical care [8], and protect the safety of our current health workforce [9]. Yet, with this comes a great need and motivation to evolve innovative approaches to communicate and collaborate in response to these new pressures.…”

“…In these rapidly changing times, countries around the world, both within and outside of the Commonwealth, have been faced with unprecedented health system pressures and human rights challenges that have prompted the development of innovative ways to connect, innovate and transform healthcare to meet the needs of their populations [7]. High on the list of priorities to address is the issue of pharmaceutical access and quality pharmaceutical care [8]. Whilst all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are affected by COVID-19 [10], SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing is the most directly impacted.…”