Medicine shortages: there are solutions! Actions to take to reduce medicine shortages

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose solutions to reduce the number and frequency of medicine shortages in Australia. Some of the many factors that contribute to medicine shortages, such as manufacturers’ production processes and business decisions, are outside the control of Australian stakeholders. But there are many factors that are within the control of stakeholders, including poor communication between stakeholders, incomplete and inaccurate information, unhelpful practices and attitudes of hospital tender authorities, and lack of certainty and incentives for manufacturers in relation to pharmaceutical tenders. The following strategies are designed to address these issues and achieve a significant reduction in the number and frequency of medicine shortages in Australian hospitals. They include improving communication and understanding between stakeholders, providing higher quality information on likely usage, changing practices of hospital tender authorities to better meet stakeholder requirements, and increasing incentives for manufacturers to participate in hospital tenders. The six key actions to implement the medicine shortage-reducing strategies are: (1) initiate a biannual forum for hospitals and industry; (2) establish a medicines substitutes information service operating nationally; (3) share information on likely changes to hospital usage; (4) reform stock allocation strategies; (5) introduce incentives for manufacturers; and (6) change hospital tender authority practices and policies. The first step to reduce medicine shortages is for stakeholders to think differently about the problem, and to act more collaboratively using the proposed strategies and actions, as a framework for change.