The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the U.S. is facing a shortage of the antibiotic amoxicillin, citing an increase in demand and manufacturing issues as reasons for the medication's short supply.
In an Oct. 28 announcement, the regulator said the shortage applies to "amoxicillin oral powder." Pharmacists use the powdered form of the antibiotic to prepare a liquid version that is easier to administer to young children. An FDA spokesperson explained that such supply issues can occur for many reasons – including manufacturing, quality problems, delays and discontinuations.
"This shortage is a challenging one as some of the commonly prescribed strengths and forms of the medication are not available," said Michael Ganio, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality for the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists. "Patients and providers may find that they have to call around to multiple pharmacies to find available supplies."
Ganio remarked that the shortage appears to be caused by a rise in demand "likely tied to the increase of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases and other respiratory illnesses reported nationwide."
According to the New York Post, children's hospitals have been recently flooded with cases of RSV. While amoxicillin isn't used to treat RSV, the illness does predispose some young children to secondary bacterial infections, such as ear infections, that are typically treated with amoxicillin.
The latest survey from the National Community Pharmacists Association, which polled 8,000 pharmacy owners and managers, found that almost 66 percent of pharmacies in the U.S. are having a hard time obtaining amoxicillin. The problem is not only limited to the antibiotic, however, as the nation is currently short of 183 different drugs per the FDA.
Leslie Pott, vice president of communications for drug manufacturer Sandoz, said that even though pharmaceutical companies are able to meet historical demand for antibiotics, "we are facing challenges to meet this sudden spike in demand now that the flu season is in full swing."
Colloidal silver: A safe and powerful antibiotic alternative
Just as the nation is grappling with pharmaceutical shortages due to supply chain and manufacturing issues, it may be a good option to consider colloidal silver as an alternative remedy. (Related: Colloidal silver: A safe and powerful natural antibiotic.)
Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that has been used for thousands of years and has been proven not to cause any harmful side effects. It has also been known to prevent the growth of algae, bacteria and other dangerous organisms.
A 2018 study published in Antibiotics stated that colloidal silver does not cause bacteria to mutate compared to man-made antibiotics. It also pointed out that colloidal silver does not contribute to antimicrobial resistance, a common problem that comes with the overuse of antibiotics.
"There is little doubt that new efforts should be dedicated towards the understanding of the action of silver such that this very ancient antibacterial metal can be further exploited within the context of the multiple antibiotic resistance crisis," the authors of the 2018 study wrote. "Interest for such a potential path is reinforced by the fact that pharmacological, toxicological and pharmacokinetic modelling studies indicated that human health risks associated with silver exposure were low."
Meanwhile, a 2015 study in Scientific Reports discovered the so-called "zombie effect" caused by colloidal silver. The researchers observed that "biocidally-killed bacteria are capable of killing living bacteria," which they attributed to the dead bacteria serving as reservoirs for the germ-killing silver.
Watch the video below that talks about the amoxicillin shortage in the United States.
This video is from the Local Prepper channel on Brighteon.com.
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