Drug Shortages in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional National Survey

Abstract

This study was conducted to understand the extent of drug shortages in Jordanian MOH hospitals and collects more evidence of the size and health care effect of shortages. A validated questionnaire was distributed to physicians and pharmacists in MOH main hospitals and drug stores in all twelve Jordanian governorates. Overall, a total of 357 respondents completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 66.4%. The majority of the respondents were males (68%) and mean age of all respondents was 38.97 years. About two thirds (64.7%) of them were pharmacists and more than half (54.06%) were from the central province hospitals. More than half of respondents had trouble locating medications either during last week (54.06%) or last six months (56%) and the mean time spent dealing with shortages ranged from 23 minutes to more than one hour. Pharmacists spent more time (minutes = 78.5, ±214) dealing with shortages. About half of participants had either never (n = 56, 15.69%) or rarely (n = 131, 36.69%) received advance notice of shortages. About two thirds of respondents (n = 232, 64.98%) reported that patients were stressed, confused and felt angry; and experienced loss of trust in the medication and the pharmacists due to shortages (n = 221, 61.9%). Majority of respondents indicated an increase in their work load (n = 264, 73.95%) because of shortages. Implementing ICT such as electronic medical records was ‘number one’ strategy while implementing out of pocket payment by patients was ‘number last’ strategy according to respondents’ responses. In conclusion, drug shortages in Jordan are real and time consuming.