title: Current Situation, Determinants, and Solutions to Drug Shortages in Shaanxi Province, China: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Drug shortages were a complex global problem. The aim of this study was to analyze, characterize, and assess the drug shortages, and identify possible solutions in Shaanxi Province, western China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative methodological approach was conducted during May-June 2015 and December 2015-January 2016. Semi-structured interviews were performed to gather information from representatives of hospital pharmacists, wholesalers, pharmaceutical producers, and local health authorities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty participants took part in the study. Eight traditional Chinese medicines and 87 types of biologicals and chemicals were reported to be in short supply. Most were essential medicines. Five main determinants of drug shortages were detected: too low prices, too low market demands, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) issues, materials issues, and approval issues for imported drugs. Five different solutions were proposed by the participants: 1) let the market decide the drug price; 2) establish an information platform; 3) establish a reserve system; 4) enhance the communication among the three parties in the supply chain; and 5) improve hospital inventory management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Western China was currently experiencing a serious drug shortage. Numerous reasons for the shortage were identified. Most drug shortages in China were currently because of "too low prices." To solve this problem, all of the stakeholders, especially the government, needed to participate in managing the drug shortages.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Caijun
authors: C
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Lina
authors: L
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Wenfang
authors: W
authors: Cai
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Wenwen
authors: W
authors: Zhu
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Qian
authors: Q
authors: Shen
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Zongjie
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.|Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Fang
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D016527:Drug Costs; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations