New Survey Reveals 73% of Pharmacists Say Amoxicillin Shortage Continues

Three out of four have struggled to fill prescriptions — shortage worse in rural areas

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jackson Pharmacy Professionals today released the findings of a survey it conducted titled Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians on the Continuing Amoxicillin Shortage. The study conducted this month found that last year’s widely publicized amoxicillin shortage continues to impact Americans across the country. In fact, 73% of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians observed an ongoing amoxicillin shortage in the last 45 days, which was more pronounced in rural areas than in urban and suburban communities.

Survey respondents were also passionate about the need to manufacture amoxicillin in the United States to better strengthen and secure the supply chain. Nine out of 10 surveyed pharmacists and pharmacy techs agreed that the federal government should prioritize amoxicillin manufactured and produced in the United States, even if it costs 5-10% more. One respondent stated, “Any antibiotic that is that important should have at least a partial U.S. source.”

“Our pharmacists have told us heart-wrenching story after story about parents being forced to trek to several different pharmacies in desperate search of amoxicillin for their sick children,” said Bobbi Henson, president of Jackson Pharmacy Professionals. “America can do better. We must secure our supply of this critical medication and manufacture it here at home.”

In addition to supply chain issues, the shortage led to a domino effect of other medication shortages, as prescribers sought alternative treatments. One survey respondent imparted that it’s “absurd” to have 100% of amoxicillin manufactured outside of the U.S., noting that “as Americans we need to prioritize our businesses and make amoxicillin readily available. Our citizens are suffering.” And adding that “Amoxicillin plays a vital role in healthcare … it’s the most commonly used antibiotic. Due to this antibiotic shortage, it has created a chain reaction leading us to shortages of all antibiotics.”

About the Survey

This survey was fielded among 522 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians between February 2-9, 2023. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ±3.8%. Learn more about the newly released Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians on the Continuing Amoxicillin Shortage survey findings here.

About Jackson Pharmacy Professionals

As a pharmacy-exclusive staffing agency, Jackson Pharmacy Professionals connects highly skilled candidates to pharmacy settings across the country, offering customizable workforce solutions to pharmaceutical providers for temporary, short-term and long-term placement needs. Jackson Pharmacy Professionals is part of the Jackson Healthcare^® family of companies. Learn more by visiting www.jacksonpharmacy.com.

Anne Patton
apatton@jacksonhealthcare.com