@PhilGastwirth Is this even the problem though:
“FTC and HHS are seeking public comment in an Request for Information (RFI) regarding market concentration among large health care GPOs and drug wholesalers, as well as information detailing their contracting practices. The RFI’s purpose is to provide the agencies with an understanding of how the practices of two pharmaceutical drug middlemen groups—group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers—may be contributing to generic drug shortages.”
From what I understand, the problem is that the Biden administration gave the drug manufacturers the same exact amount of active ingredient they were given the year before, which wasn’t enough because we had a shortage that year as well. Lots of people claimed it was over prescribing by online platforms that caused it, but I don’t believe online platforms were prescribing to people they shouldn’t be in massive volumes. It’s more likely people were finally getting care because they could do telemedicine.
But I also suspect part of the problem is that they haven’t increased the allotment of active ingredient to the manufacturer, and a lot of the long Covid symptoms are things like fatigue and pain that are being treated with stimulants and pain medication.
I guess before I can comment I have to go research how these wholesalers are causing the problem. Are they not purchasing the medication from the factories?
Do you know why the wholesalers lack of competition would create a shortage at my local pharmacy?