As drug shortages continue to worsen and negatively affect patient care across the U.S., the AMA has adopted policy to strengthen its ongoing efforts to address this growing public health crisis.

The AMA’s recently adopted policy supports diversifying drug manufacturing and supply chains and stabilizing the generic drug market, as well as opposing practices such as pharmacy benefits manager formulary restrictions that worsen drug shortages. According to statistics from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, a spike in new drug shortages in 2022 has led to the highest levels of drug shortages in the U.S. since 2014.

“Drug shortages are the highest we’ve seen in a decade, making it more and more difficult for patients and physicians across the country to get necessary medications,” said AMA Immediate Past President Jack Resneck Jr., MD.

“The nation’s drug supply shouldn’t be in constant turmoil because there aren’t enough manufacturers, or the profit margin is too thin to incentivize production,” Dr. Resneck added. “We must continue to push for actions to mitigate drug shortages that will help ensure the drug supply chain is more resilient and adaptable so our patients can get the medications they need when they need them.”

My latest for the AMA. The whole shebang.