Drug Shortages Hurt Care Quality: Primary Care Physician Survey
Widespread Drug Shortages Disrupt Primary Care
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A recent survey reveals that a considerable majority of primary care physicians in the United States are experiencing the negative effects of ongoing drug shortages, leading to compromised patient care and increased administrative challenges. As of January 10, 2026, the situation remains critical, wiht no significant improvements reported as initial data collection in mid-2024.
Impact on Patient Care Quality
According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, 87% of 902 primary care physicians surveyed between July and August 2024 reported that drug shortages negatively impacted the quality of care they could provide. Physicians are frequently forced to alter treatment plans, with 92% reporting a change in prescribed medication and 63% delaying prescriptions altogether due to unavailability. This finding aligns with reports from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has consistently acknowledged the escalating problem of drug supply disruptions.
Specific Drug Categories Affected
The survey identified certain drug categories as being notably prone to shortages with severe consequences. Endocrinologic drugs were cited as problematic in 54% of cases, followed by stimulants (52%) and infectious disease treatments (26%). The American Society of health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) maintains a comprehensive list of current and past drug shortages, providing further detail on affected medications and their causes. The FDA’s Drug Shortages webpage offers guidance for healthcare professionals and patients.
Beyond clinical impacts, drug shortages are considerably increasing the administrative workload for primary care practices. Seventy-three percent of physicians reported a rise in prior authorization requests as they navigate alternative medications and formulary restrictions. This increase in paperwork is compounded by the need to develop new care plans and the limited reimbursement for the additional staff time required. The American Medical Association (AMA) has been actively advocating for streamlined prior authorization processes to alleviate this burden on physicians and improve patient access to necessary medications.
Researchers noted that the resulting workplace stress contributes to physician frustration with the ongoing drug shortage crisis.