Which Drugs Are in Shortage Because of COVID-19?

• Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, which are both being tested as possible treatments for COVID-19, are officially experiencing shortages.
• Multiple other drugs that are essential in treating bacterial infections and placing patients on ventilators are also in short supply.
• See the full list of noteworthy shortages below. GoodRx is tracking these shortages daily and will update this post accordingly.

Drug shortage lists are beginning to grow as people stock up on medications during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in hospitalizations strains the drug supply.

In recent days, hospitals have begun to report shortages for drugs used to place patients on ventilators and treat pneumonia. And on March 31, the FDA added chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (potential treatments for coronavirus) to its shortages list.
Here is the list of drugs used to treat COVID-19 that are experiencing shortages.

COVID-19 Related Drug Shortages

Last updated: April 14, 2020

Drug name	Use
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets*	Malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus (possible COVID-19 treatment)
Chloroquine phosphate tablets*	Malaria (possible COVID-19 treatment)
Albuterol sulfate inhalers	Treat or prevent bronchospasm
Fluticasone propionate inhalers	Long term management of asthma COPD
Azithromycin injection and tablets*	Bacterial infection
Midazolam injection*	Maintain sleepiness and comfort while on ventilator
Fentanyl citrate injection*	Treats severe pain
Etomidate injection	General anesthesia
Sodium chloride small volume bags	Used to prepare many essential IV drugs
Heparin injection*	Prevents blood clots (for hospitalized patients who are at an increased risk)
Meropenem injection	Bacterial infection
Norepinephrine bitartrate injection	Treats critically low blood pressure
Ampicillin sodium and sulbactam sodium injection	Bacterial infection
Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride vials for injection*	Maintains sleepiness & comfort while on ventilator
Ceftazidime injection	Bacterial infection
Propofol emulsion injection*	Maintains sleepiness & comfort while on ventilator
Vecuronium bromide injection	Maintains muscle relaxation during ventilation
Furosemide injection*	Fluid retention
Rocuronium injection	Maintains muscle relaxation during ventilation
Cisatracurium besylate injection*	Maintains muscle relaxation during ventilation
Doxycycline hyclate injection	Bacterial infection
Dobutamine injection*	Heart failure
Dopamine hydrochloride injection*	Low blood pressure

*Official FDA shortage

Table: GoodRx Source: FDA and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)

 

More drug shortages are expected as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We are closely monitoring data released by both the FDA and The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) to identify shortages that may affect COVID-19 treatment or protect those who are at the highest risk.
We will be tracking these lists daily, so keep checking back.
https://www.goodrx.com/blog/covid-19-drug-shortages-updates/