2SPD-035 Medicine shortages: impact on a third-level hospital pharmacy department activity

Background Medicine shortages (MS) have become a global concern. It is a real challenge for hospital pharmacists who have to search for possible solutions in order to minimise their impact on patient’s health. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the MS and to evaluate their effect on a third-level hospital pharmacy (HP) department’s day-to-day activity. Material and methods A retrospective descriptive study was carried out between July 2017 and June 2018. Data were obtained from internal MS data logs and MS notification registers from health authorities (HA). Data collected included: active substance, dosage form, manufacturer, pharmaceutical intervention, if the medicine shortage was informed by HA and if it changed the medicine distribution circuit (from community pharmacy (CP) to HP dispensation). Results One-hundred and fifty-nine MS involving 144 different medicines were recorded during the period of study. Anti-neoplastics (14.5%) and cardiac therapy (10.1%) were the main therapeutic groups affected. In 54 cases (34%) it was necessary to import the active substance. In 43 cases (27%) a controlled medicine distribution programme was initiated to ensure a sufficient supply of medicines to patients. In 26 cases (16.4%) the active substance was purchased from a different manufacturer and in 25 cases (15.7%) a different dosage form was obtained. A therapeutic alternative was used in 11 cases (6.9%), with two of these requiring an importation of a foreign medicine. 35.2% of the MS led to a foreign medicine importation, which represents 26% of our total foreign medicine request applications in a year. According to Spanish law, foreign medicines must be provided by the HP and in 33 cases (20.8%) the medicine distribution circuit changed. One-hundred and eight (67.9%) of the MS registered were informed by HA during the study period. Conclusion MS represent a significant increase in the hospital pharmacist activity, mainly focused on executing administrative tasks and planning for strategies to maintain the medication supply. Furthermore, this problem implies attending new outpatients who usually collect their medication at the CP. The lack of communication of MS supposes a cause of distress for patients, as they are unaware of the current medicine distribution circuit, and a real risk for treatment discontinuation. References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.