Management of drug shortages induced by COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic has led to a devastating situation globally. To defeat COVID-19 pandemic, continuous supply of medicine is required to safeguard the health of society. However, in Pakistan it seems that drug shortage has soared in COVID-19 pandemic as importation of raw material is currently suspended. This article offers insight on potential drivers for drug shortages in the bay of COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan and suggests recommendations for its efficient management. Apparently, pre-existing causes of drug shortages have been exacerbated due to the emergence of a COVID-19 pandemic. Among these, sub-optimal performance of regulatory authority is a significant contributor as no management strategy has been implemented to combat shortages. In fact, no official definition as well as no online reporting system has been dedicated to communicate drug shortages in the country due to which it is hard to quantify the current level of shortages in the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, there is a need to establish a proper surveillance system to squelch the unforeseeable consequences of drug shortages.