Latest news with #drugshortage
Health Line
15 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
Is There an Azstarys Shortage?
Azstarys is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD. Some ADHD medications have recently been in short supply. Learn whether Azstarys is affected and how to check its availability. Azstarys is not currently listed in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug shortages database. Here's what to know about why some ADHD medications may be hard to find and how to check for drug shortages. Is there a shortage of other ADHD drugs? In recent years, several ADHD medications have been in short supply. A few examples include Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and Vyvanse. It's not yet clear when these shortages will fully resolve. These shortages have affected both brand-name and generic versions of the drugs. As a result, some people have worked with their doctor to switch to a different medication or adjust their ADHD treatment plan. To check the current status of Aztarys and other ADHD medications, visit the FDA drug shortages website. How do ADHD drug shortages affect people? Shortages of ADHD medications can make it harder for people to stick with their treatment plan. This can cause ADHD symptoms to return or become more difficult to manage. A lack of consistent access to ADHD medication may also increase stress and affect mental health. Other possible effects of disrupted access to ADHD medication include: difficulty focusing or completing daily tasks increased impulsivity or emotional outbursts difficulty falling or staying asleep withdrawing from social, family, or work activities If you're having trouble filling a prescription for an ADHD medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend alternatives or adjust your treatment plan based on what's available. What causes a drug shortage? Several factors can lead to a medication being in short supply. Common causes of ADHD drug shortages include: Increased demand: More people receiving diagnoses of ADHD have led to greater demand for medications. This can strain manufacturers and reduce availability at pharmacies. Regulatory limits: Stimulant medications used to treat ADHD, including Azstarys, are controlled substances. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sets yearly production limits for these medications. If demand rises suddenly, these limits may contribute to shortages. Supply chain issues: Shortages of raw materials, packaging supplies, or labor can delay the manufacturing and availability of ADHD drugs. When multiple ADHD medications are in short supply at the same time, it can be especially hard for pharmacies to keep any option in stock. Even when generic forms are available, they may be affected by the same issues as brand-name drugs. As a result, generics may be just as difficult to find during a shortage. How can I check whether Azstarys is available near me? Azstarys is not currently listed by the FDA as being in shortage. However, some people may still experience delays when trying to fill their prescription. Availability can vary depending on your pharmacy, location, and insurance plan. If you're having trouble finding Azstarys, start by talking with a pharmacist. If possible, visit the pharmacy in person. Some pharmacies may not share inventory details for ADHD medications over the phone. You can also check pharmacy websites or apps, which sometimes offer tools to look up availability online. Keep in mind that availability may change as new shipments arrive. You can also check with your insurance provider. If Azstarys isn't available through your plan's preferred pharmacy, your insurer may be able to help you locate another pharmacy. In some cases, you may want to reach out to the drug manufacturer for information about availability in your area. To learn more about contacting the manufacturer, visit the Azstarys website.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Cancer patients in the UK dealing with 'worst drug shortage' as sufferers forced to skip meals and ration doses of their medication
Cancer patients are skipping meals, rationing doses and travelling more than 30 miles to get hold of medication amidst the 'worst ever' drug stock shortage, pharmacists have warned. A new survey has found that an astonishing 96 per cent of pharmacies are struggling to supply their patients with a crucial cancer drug called Creon. Thousands of Britons who have suffered pancreas cancer rely on the tablets to help them digest food. However, Creon has been in short supply in the UK for over a year. Without the drug, patient are at-risk of malnutrition and dangerous weight loss. According to the National Pharmacy Association, which carried out the survey, pharmacists have described the Creon shortage as the 'worst stockage shortage' they have ever had to deal with. As a result, patients are reportedly spending hours hunting stock, 'tightly rationing their medication' and even eating just one meal a day to eke out their Creon, the survey revealed. Creon is just one of dozens of crucial medicines that have been hard to access since the Covid pandemic, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), antibiotics and inhalers. Research suggests that more than half of patients have struggled to have their prescriptions met over the past year. As part of its End The Drug Shortage Nightmare campaign, The Mail on Sunday has called on the Government to give pharmacists the power to make substitutions for patients when drugs are out of stock and to force manufacturers to give advance warning of known shortages or face fines. We also believe there should be a database for patients to check which pharmacies have drugs in stock – and we say all NHS patients should be allowed to use well-stocked hospital pharmacies to source critical medicines. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, of Pancreatic Cancer UK, called the survey findings 'deeply worrying' and said they 'echo the distress and frustration [it is] hearing from patients…across the UK' 'Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking PERT tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted,' he said. 'It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures that put their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer patients facing digestion drug shortage
Pharmacists in the Channel Islands have confirmed they are dealing with an ongoing shortage of a drug used by cancer patients. It follows a shortage of Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), being described by pharmacists in the UK as "one of the worst" examples of a medicine shortage. The drug does not treat cancer but is used by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis to help with digestion. A spokesperson from the Guernsey Prescribing Support Unit said there have been ongoing supply issues with Pert since summer 2024, with the department of health in England issuing a national patient safety alert in December 2024. The spokesperson said: "Local pharmacies have been working hard to help maintain supplies of medication for patients and at times this has proved difficult." They said there were an average of 70 Pert prescriptions dispensed each month in Guernsey, but they haven't received any reports of patients going without the drug. This was testament to the efforts of community pharmacy teams, the spokesperson added. The acting director of Pharmacy Services in Jersey, Kevin Smith, said the shortage of these medicines was expected to continue for many months. He said Jersey has introduced measures to help manage local supplies, such as issuing shorter prescription durations. Clinical and pharmacy teams were working with the hospital to find suitable alternative treatments where needed, he added. Jersey oncology consultant, Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos, said: "Patient safety remains our highest priority. "We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and ensuring that all patients continue to receive the support they need during this period of constrained supply." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Islanders reminded to pay prescription charges Cancer charity fears lack of drug could cost lives Cancer patients get quicker access to medication
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cancer patients facing digestion drug shortage
Pharmacists in the Channel Islands have confirmed they are dealing with an ongoing shortage of a drug used by cancer patients. It follows a shortage of Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), being described by pharmacists in the UK as "one of the worst" examples of a medicine shortage. The drug does not treat cancer but is used by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis to help with digestion. A spokesperson from the Guernsey Prescribing Support Unit said there have been ongoing supply issues with Pert since summer 2024, with the department of health in England issuing a national patient safety alert in December 2024. The spokesperson said: "Local pharmacies have been working hard to help maintain supplies of medication for patients and at times this has proved difficult." They said there were an average of 70 Pert prescriptions dispensed each month in Guernsey, but they haven't received any reports of patients going without the drug. This was testament to the efforts of community pharmacy teams, the spokesperson added. The acting director of Pharmacy Services in Jersey, Kevin Smith, said the shortage of these medicines was expected to continue for many months. He said Jersey has introduced measures to help manage local supplies, such as issuing shorter prescription durations. Clinical and pharmacy teams were working with the hospital to find suitable alternative treatments where needed, he added. Jersey oncology consultant, Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos, said: "Patient safety remains our highest priority. "We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and ensuring that all patients continue to receive the support they need during this period of constrained supply." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Islanders reminded to pay prescription charges Cancer charity fears lack of drug could cost lives Cancer patients get quicker access to medication
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Channel Island pharmacists confirm digestion drug shortage
Pharmacists in the Channel Islands have confirmed they are dealing with an ongoing shortage of a drug used by cancer follows a shortage of Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), being described by pharmacists in the UK as "one of the worst" examples of a medicine drug does not treat cancer but is used by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis to help with digestion.A spokesperson from the Guernsey Prescribing Support Unit said there have been ongoing supply issues with Pert since summer 2024, with the department of health in England issuing a national patient safety alert in December 2024. The spokesperson said: "Local pharmacies have been working hard to help maintain supplies of medication for patients and at times this has proved difficult."They said there were an average of 70 Pert prescriptions dispensed each month in Guernsey, but they haven't received any reports of patients going without the was testament to the efforts of community pharmacy teams, the spokesperson added. The acting director of Pharmacy Services in Jersey, Kevin Smith, said the shortage of these medicines was expected to continue for many said Jersey has introduced measures to help manage local supplies, such as issuing shorter prescription and pharmacy teams were working with the hospital to find suitable alternative treatments where needed, he added. Jersey oncology consultant, Elizabet Gomes Dos Santos, said: "Patient safety remains our highest priority. "We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and ensuring that all patients continue to receive the support they need during this period of constrained supply."
