Why Are There So Many Medication Shortages?

In recent years, patients and healthcare providers have faced increasing medication shortages, affecting everything from antibiotics and weight loss medications to hormone therapies. These shortages often occur due to supply chain disruptions, manufacturing issues, or high demand. Fortunately, compounding pharmacies offer a valuable solution.

What is a Compounding Pharmacy?​

friendly pharmacist consulting with a patient, answering her questions and helping support her on her journey to wellness

A compounding pharmacy creates personalized medications by:

• Customizing drug formulations to match individual patient needs
• Recreating unavailable medications that have been discontinued or are in short supply
• Altering dosages or delivery methods for easier administration

How Compounding Pharmacies Help During Medication Shortages

Compounded medications provide an alternative when commercially manufactured drugs are unavailable. A compounding pharmacist can:

• Reformulate essential medications - When a drug is out of stock, a compounding pharmacy can often replicate it with the same active ingredients.
• Adjust dosages and strengths - Patients requiring specific strengths that are unavailable can receive customized formulations.
• Create preservative-free or allergen-free alternatives - If a commercial medication contains an ingredient that a patient cannot tolerate, a compounded version can be made without it.

Examples of Commonly Compounded Medications During Shortages

• Hormone replacement therapies (HRT)
• Weight Loss medications or Peptides (such as GLP-1s)
• Thyroid medications
• Pain management and anti-inflammatory medications
• Antibiotics and antifungals
• ADHD medications and mental health prescriptions

Finding a Reliable Compounding Pharmacy During a Drug Shortage

If you're struggling to access an essential medication due to shortages, contact your local pharmacist at The Compounding Lab. Our compounding pharmacists work closely with healthcare providers to ensure patients receive safe, high-quality alternatives when commercial medications are unavailable.