Medicine shortages are becoming increasingly common in hospitals and pharmacies. Medications may be temporarily unavailable or difficult to obtain, which can have direct consequences for patient care. Although shortages often arise in the supply chain, the effects are most noticeable in everyday clinical practice.
At Orphamed, we see firsthand how important it is to handle these situations quickly and carefully, ensuring continuity of care.
When essential medications are unavailable, treatments may be delayed or adapted. Healthcare professionals sometimes have to switch to alternative medicines, which do not always provide the same effect or experience. This can lead to patient uncertainty and requires extra attention during treatment. For vulnerable patient groups, such as oncology patients, timely access to the correct medication is crucial.
Medicine shortages increase the workload for hospital pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. Much time is spent finding alternatives, contacting suppliers, and adjusting treatment plans. This extra burden makes it harder to focus fully on patient care, especially in an already busy healthcare environment.
Continuity of care is essential for patient safety and trust. Medicine shortages can disrupt treatment pathways. A quick response, clear communication, and access to reliable suppliers help minimize the impact. Orphamed supports hospitals and pharmacies in sourcing hard-to-get medicines and resolving shortages quickly, helping healthcare organizations keep patient care as unaffected as possible.
Is your organization facing a medicine shortage?
Contact us at orders@orphamed.nl
