Table 4.
Practice of Community Pharmacy Staff toward Drug Shortages.
| Variables | N = 1008 | % |
|---|---|---|
| Notification about drug shortages from SFDA | ||
| No | 566 | 56.2% |
| Yes | 442 | 43.9% |
| Having drug shortages in past 3 months | ||
| Yes | 935 | 92.8% |
| No | 73 | 7.2% |
| Time needed to solve drug shortages | ||
| Not applicable | 43 | 4.3% |
| Hours | 27 | 2.7% |
| Days | 187 | 18.6% |
| Weeks | 371 | 36.8% |
| Months | 375 | 37.2% |
| Years | 5 | 0.5% |
| Percentage of drug shortages for the top ten classes of prescription medications (Rx) | ||
| Blood glucose regulators | 421 | 41.8% |
| Antidepressants | 292 | 29.0% |
| Cardiovascular agents | 242 | 24.0% |
| Hormonal agents | 237 | 23.5% |
| Anticonvulsants | 233 | 23.1% |
| Anti-viral | 216 | 21.4% |
| Anti-emetics | 188 | 18.7% |
| Anti-bacterial | 174 | 17.3% |
| Anti-migraine agents | 159 | 15.8% |
| Anti-Parkinson agent | 154 | 15.3% |
| Percentage of drug shortages for the top ten classes of over-the counter medications (OTC) | ||
| Heartburn | 482 | 47.8% |
| Motion-sickness | 475 | 47.1% |
| Anti-diarrheal | 364 | 36.1% |
| Laxatives | 346 | 34.3% |
| Multi-Symptoms Gastrointestinal (GI) | 258 | 25.6% |
| Hemorrhoid treatment | 240 | 23.8% |
| Upper respiratory | 221 | 21.9% |
| Gas relief | 221 | 21.9% |
| Female contraceptive | 159 | 15.8% |
| Vitamins and others supplement | 145 | 14.4% |
| Pharmacist practice in case of drug shortages | ||
| Advise her/him to come back to the pharmacy later | 40 | 4.0% |
| Advise her/him to go to another pharmacy | 39 | 3.9% |
| Refer her/him to their physicians to change the drug | 137 | 13.6% |
| Suggest an alternative medication | 792 | 78.6% |