More than 100 drugs face supply chain shortages, FDA says

More than 100 pharmaceutical drugs are facing supply chain shortages, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned.

Drugs currently listed as "in shortage" by the FDA include antidepressants, antibiotics, heart medicines, cancer-fighting drugs, and pain killers.

"The FDA continues to take steps to monitor the supply chain," the federal agency wrote.

"The Drug Shortage Staff within the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) has asked manufacturers to evaluate their entire supply chain, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, finished dose forms, and any components that may be impacted in any area of the supply chain due to the COVID-19 outbreak," the FDA wrote in a statement on the shortage.

Products regulated by the FDA account for 14% of imports and 15% of exports in the United States. The agency also reports that "about 80 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturers are located outside of the U.S."

The National Community Pharmacists Association's November poll showed that 60% of pharmacies report facing supply chain disruptions. Exacerbating issues, 68% of pharmacies stated they are facing staffing shortages. 

The possibility of tax increases looms for pharmacies as well. More than three-quarters of respondents stated that they were "significantly" concerned about tax increases. 

Last week, Just the News reported that President Joe Biden "said the supply chain is in 'very strong shape' ahead of the holiday season."

"Because of the actions the administration has taken in partnership with business and labor, retailers and grocery stores, freight movers and railroads, those shelves are going to be stocked," Biden said.