Keeping Pharmacy Shelves Filled: Solutions to Address Drug Shortages 

The American healthcare system is facing a fresh challenge as drug shortages are a rising issue for many patients.  

In the first quarter of 2024, there were a record 323 drugs in short supply in the U.S., according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah. Chemotherapy, ADHD medication, generics and injectables top the list of drugs that can be the hardest to source. 

Overall, problems stem from demand exceeding supply and manufacturing production challenges, especially in the generics market, due to a range of factors. 

Amid these difficulties, how can the supply chain respond, and better meet patients’ needs? What are the complexities and challenges the generics market faces? And what solutions are needed to simplify America’s complex prescription drug marketplace?  

Join The Hill for a special discussion on the pharmaceutical supply chain as we convene government leaders, supply chain experts, healthcare providers and physicians to discuss the collective goal of preventing drug shortages and, when they are unavoidable, mitigating their impact on patients. 

Speakers:

Addressing Drug Shortage Vulnerabilities (In conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.), Vice Chair, House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health

Drug Shortages, the FDA & the Generics Market (In conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Dr. Mark McClellan, Director, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy; Former FDA Commissioner

Panel: Bolstering the Drug Supply Chain (In conversation with Kathleen Koch, Contributing Editor, The Hill)

• Michael Kleinrock, Lead Research Director, IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science
• Dr. Marta Wosińska, Senior Fellow, Center on Health Policy, The Brookings Institution
• Heather Zenk, President – U.S. Supply Chain, Cencora

Sponsor Perspective (in conversation with Joe Ruffolo, SVP & General Manager, The Hill)

• Chester “Chip” Davis, President & CEO, Healthcare Distribution Alliance

Have a question? Reach us on social media @TheHillEvents using #TheHillHealth

Sponsored by:

The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) represents healthcare distributors – the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals and other sites of care. Since 1876, HDA has helped members navigate regulations and innovations to get the right medicines to the right patients at the right time, safely and efficiently. Each day, healthcare distributors deliver 10 million medicines, healthcare products and other supplies across the country – from the biggest cities to the smallest towns. Learn more about how the pharmaceutical distribution industry ensures patients get the medicines they need and fosters a more resilient supply chain.