Another Incentive to Prescribe Judiciously: Amoxicillin Is in Short Supply

High demand, supply-chain challenges, and difficulties sourcing raw materials are combining to leave the United States with an insufficient supply of amoxicillin. According to an article published by Bloomberg, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, and Sandoz are experiencing shortages of multiple dosage forms of the antibiotic (though the greatest deficit is with the liquid form). The net effect is that new orders are being limited to ensure current demand can be met for as long as possible. Urgent care operators might be well advised to investigate the availability of amoxicillin in area pharmacies before writing prescriptions that patients can’t fill.