Countermeasures for Shortages of Certain Drugs in China

OBJECTIVE:To provide references for drug administrator in coping with the challenge of drug shortage and the promotion of rational drug use. METHODS: With American Society of Hospital Pharmacists Guidelines on Managing Drug Shortages as references,the feasible management strategies for drug shortage in China were put forward based on the reality of our country and our experience in the practice of drug shortage management. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: It is advisable to draw experiences from U.S. Food and Drug Administration to tackle the problem of the shortage of essential drugs through the co-efforts of Ministry of Public Health,State Food and Drug Administration and Stage Development and Reform Committee and develop contingency planning strategy in health care organization to deal with the shortages of certain drugs and reduce potential clinical safety hazard induced by drug shortages.