How COVID-19 affected drug shortages and the health of Veterans
Official title: The broken drug supply chain: The impact of COVID-19 on drug shortages and Veteran health
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11076645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the availability of medications for Veterans, especially those who get their drugs from overseas, and it aims to understand how often these shortages happen and how they impact treatment, taking into account different factors like age and location.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01HX003519-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Veterans who are experiencing medication shortages or have chronic health conditions requiring consistent medication.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Veterans or those who do not rely on medications affected by supply chain issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the drug supply chain, particularly affecting Veterans who rely on medications produced overseas. It aims to understand the frequency of drug shortages and their impact on treatment gaps and clinical outcomes, especially in outpatient settings. The study will analyze differences in drug shortages among various Veteran priority groups and consider factors such as race, ethnicity, age, location, and co-morbidities. By involving stakeholders and utilizing operational data, the research seeks to inform effective policies to mitigate these shortages.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to essential medications for Veterans, enhancing their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research specifically on the impact of COVID-19 on drug shortages in Veterans, similar studies have shown that disruptions in the drug supply chain can significantly affect patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suda, Kj — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Suda, Kj
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.