Examining medicine shortages and their consequences through economic, clinical, and economic lens

A study on medicine shortages in the Netherlands found that disease and costs were the two most affected elements, with 30% and 20% of shortages rated high on these elements, respectively. The study used a framework of economic, clinical, and patient outcomes to assess the impact of medicine shortages on patients. Direct impact, represented by alternative product and disease, was rated high for 30% of the shortages, while indirect impact, represented by costs, susceptibility, and number of patients, was rated high for 17% of the shortages. No significant differences in impact scores were found based on product characteristics.