medication shortage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "medication shortage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a lack of available medication, often affecting patients and healthcare providers. Example: "The hospital is facing a medication shortage, which is impacting the treatment options for patients."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In one of the few pharmaceutical mea culpas of last year, the chief executive of Genzyme in Cambridge, Mass., wrote a letter to patients with two rare genetic conditions, apologizing for a medication shortage that occurred after the company shut down a manufacturing facility because of viral contamination.

The New York Times

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (εACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) in contemporary clinical practice during a national medication shortage.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Medication shortages pose serious problems in health care.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

Many medication shortages were encountered in the "travel med pack" options donated from companies in the United States.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

They're not only overwhelmed with bodies — often whose cause of death hasn't been determined — but officials might not be accounting for deaths indirectly related to Hurricane Maria, like those due to medication shortages.

Vice

"I'm without much hope because every year more and more medication shortages occur and there are huge concerns related to the quality of the drugs that do exist," Malyshev told me.

Vice

They're not only overwhelmed with bodies often whose cause of death hasn't been determined but officials might not be accounting for deaths indirectly related to Hurricane Maria, like those due to medication shortages.

Vice

Contextual cues also enable the retrospective study of ancillary issues, such as treatment side effects or potential medication shortages.

Plosone

Medication shortages at the public sector pharmacies could also act as a time related barrier.

BMC Family Practice

In addition, these data contributed to the development of antiviral medication prioritization recommendations in anticipation of antiviral medication shortages.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

We hypothesized that the implementation of a new Pharmacy Computerized Inventory Program (PCIP) would optimize medication availability and decrease medication shortages.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "medication shortage", specify the medication(s) affected and the patient populations most at risk. This enhances clarity and urgency.

Common error

Avoid stating that there is a "medication shortage" without providing context. Specificity regarding the drug and affected regions is crucial for accurate communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "medication shortage" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, denoting a situation where the supply of medication is insufficient to meet demand. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing such situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "medication shortage" accurately describes a situation where the availability of medication is insufficient. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It functions as a noun phrase and appears most frequently in science and news media contexts. While alternatives like "drug scarcity" and "pharmaceutical shortage" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific details about the medication and populations affected to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drug scarcity

Refers to the limited availability of medications.

pharmaceutical shortage

Specifically relates to a lack of pharmaceuticals.

drug unavailability

Emphasizes that medication is not accessible.

limited drug supply

Highlights the restricted amount of drugs available.

lack of medication

A more general expression indicating deficiency.

medication scarcity

Focuses on the rarity of available drugs.

prescription drug shortage

Specifically relates to prescribed drugs.

deficient medication supply

Highlights that the supply is not sufficient.

inadequate medication stock

Indicates insufficient reserves of medication.

restricted access to medication

Emphasizes difficulty in obtaining drugs.

FAQs

How can I use "medication shortage" in a sentence?

You can use "medication shortage" to describe situations where there's a lack of available drugs, such as: "The hospital is experiencing a severe "medication shortage", impacting patient care".

What are some alternatives to saying "medication shortage"?

Alternatives include "drug scarcity", "pharmaceutical shortage", or "drug unavailability", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "medication shortage" or "medications shortage"?

"Medication shortage" is generally preferred, treating medication as a non-count noun. "Medications shortage" is less common but can be used when referring to a shortage of various types of medications.

What are the causes of a "medication shortage"?

A "medication shortage" can arise from manufacturing issues, supply chain disruptions, increased demand, or regulatory problems. Addressing these causes requires coordinated efforts from manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory agencies.