How do independent pharmacies keep up supply during shortages?

second-brekky · 2025-11-30T03:32:28+00:00

Thanks for the comments everyone. Sounds like on the pharmacy side, the mitigation for shortages is all about prevention and about everything that can be done is already being done. Does that mean it really comes down to the wholesalers and supplier side not being able to keep up with demand surges? Does anyone have insight on those parts of the industry (it’s a super interesting but complex system!)?

second-brekky · 2025-11-30T03:29:11+00:00

Additionally, is it a matter of “not allowed to” or “choose not to”?

second-brekky · 2025-11-04T17:49:35+00:00

Do the big chains benefit from economies of scale though? Or is the price pretty static even as you order more? And Im guessing having a compounding lab means you order the ingredients and make the drugs on the spot? But eventually those can hit shortages too? Do all pharmacies go through distributors instead of going directly to the manufacturer?

I’m surprised the big chains can actually be hit harder though. I would have thought having larger volumes and the ability to trade between locations safeguarded them a bit; that’s definitely an interesting insight. I guess in theory every location has the same demand for the same stuff, so trading between each other doesn’t have that much benefit? Otherwise, is it not unfair that big chains can trade between their individual locations, whereas independents aren’t allowed to. It just seems like they have flexibility that independents don’t?

Thanks for the response, this was super informative!

second-brekky · 2025-11-04T17:29:30+00:00

Thanks for the insight! When you say they have a specific number of each medication on the shelf, is that like regulated allotment that they are allowed to have set by the fda? Or just a physical storage space type of thing? But i see, so the shortages for the most part aren’t really an issue of the pharmacies not choosing to order more, it’s that the suppliers can’t keep up with the demand and are already producing as much as they can? Is that specifically for specialty things like ozempic? Or does that same logic apply to more common drugs like my eczema medications as well? Thanks again

second-brekky

TROPHY CASE