ASPR Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) Resource Spotlight: Crisis Standards of Care Considerations: Pharmaceutical and Supply Shortages Tip Sheet

Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) originally assumed the conditions causing patients to be placed at risk would be pervasive and due to a catastrophic disaster. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and remdesivir, had to be rationed. Even in the absence of a disaster situation, frequent product shortages – such as RhoGAM, blood products, radiologic contrast, chemotherapy agents, blood culture bottles, and intravenous fluids – place patients at substantial risk of a poor health outcome. The considerations in this tip sheet can help health care providers plan for and manage similar situations.