Amazon, Walgreens, CVS face shortage of heartburn drug being tested as COVID-19 treatment

After researchers at New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health announced April 27 that they’re conducting a clinical trial testing a common heartburn drug as a COVID-19 treatment, Amazon, Walgreens and CVS are already facing shortages of the drug, according to Business Insider. 

Advertisement

Northwell Health is testing famotidine, the active ingredient in Pepcid AC and other heartburn drugs, as a possible treatment for COVID-19. 

Kevin Tracey, MD, head of the research team, warned people not to hoard the drugs, but Amazon, CVS and Walgreens already appear to be facing shortages, Business Insider reported. 

On Amazon, Pepcid AC and all three of its generic versions were unavailable or out of stock as of April 27, according to Business Insider. At CVS, famotidine products were out of stock at most New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston locations. Walgreens also showed out-of-stock notices at most locations across the U.S. searched by Business Insider. 

The shortages reflect a similar pattern to what happened with hydroxychloroquine after the president and other public figures expressed hope for its potential to treat COVID-19.

Read the full article here. 

More articles on pharmacy:
Top 15 specialty pharmacies by revenue
CVS to offer self-swab COVID-19 tests at 1,000 pharmacies
Walgreens to add COVID-19 testing sites in 49 states

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Pharmacy

Advertisement

Comments are closed.