Emergence of Covid-19 Adversely Impacts API Production, Thereby Leading to Short Supply of Various Pharmaceutical Drugs
A pharmaceutical drug is a chemical substance that is used to cure, diagnose, treat, or protect disease. Some pharmaceutical drugs are sold in pharmacies and some are sold over-the-counter or as over-the-counter medications. Prescription drugs have many different applications, including the treatment of certain illnesses, but they also come in various forms that range from capsules, tablets, liquids, and lotions.
One of the most popular and major types of pharmaceutical drugs is
the oral form. These are drugs that can be taken by swallowing, which means
that they need to pass through the stomach into the upper intestines where they
are metabolized and digested into other substances. It is important to note
that a certain amount of stomach acid is normal in the intestines and it helps
digest food. Another popular type of pharmaceutical drug is an injectable.
These are available as intravenous fluids and can be injected into a vein or
through a catheter to deliver drugs to the body. Many people opt for these
drugs because of their convenience and ability to be delivered right to where
they need it.
There are also synthetic drugs that can be used to treat many of
the problems faced by the body. These drugs are sometimes more expensive than
the ones prescribed from a doctor but are considered to be safer since they do
not have as many side effects. Also, some of these drugs are more reliable than
the prescription medication provided by a doctor.
Use of pharmaceutical
drugs is associated with several side effect such as constipation, skin
rash or dermatitis, diarrhea, and headache. Regular use of some drugs can also
lead to drug abuse and in some cases lead to death. For instance, in the first
half of 2018, Massachusetts (U.S.) recorded 657 confirmed opioid‐related overdose deaths. Moreover, the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health estimated that there will be an additional 322 to 396 deaths.
Emergence of Covid-19 has given rise to another challenge in the pharmaceutical
sector in the form of API production. In March 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration announced that one drug was in short supply after production of
its API was affected by the coronavirus. It declined to name the drug or say
where it was made.
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