Improving Safety by Evaluating the Impact of the Supply Chain and Drug Shortages on Health-Systems

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how fragile our healthcare supply chain is with product delays, drug shortages, and labor shortages being exacerbated in recent years. Objective: This article reviews current threats to the healthcare supply chain that impact patient safety and highlights potential solutions for the future. Method: A review of the literature was conducted, and important up-to-date resources associated with drug shortages and supply chain were analyzed to build foundational knowledge. Potential supply chain threats and solutions were then explored through further literature analyses. Conclusions: The information provided in this article helps to brief pharmacy leaders on current supply chain issues and solutions that can be integrated throughout the healthcare supply chain in the future.