Critical drug shortages have been widespread during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially regarding intravenous sedatives for patients on mechanical ventilation (Mayo Clin Proc 2020;95:1112-5). Unfortunately, drug shortages are not a new phenomenon and have been increasing in number, while disproportionately affecting anesthesia medications, antibiotics, pain medications, nutrition and electrolyte products, and chemotherapy agents (Mayo Clin Proc 2014;89:361-73). There is no one-stop solution since no regulatory agency can require manufacturers to produce a specific product. Increased global demand, consolidation of production, and changes in regulatory standards all play a causative role (Bull World Health Organ 2012;90:158-158A). Economics is the elephant in the room: there is a lack of incentive for manufacturers to produce less profitable drugs. As anesthesiologists, we must be flexible and adapt to this shifting landscape.
The American Medical Association recently defined deskilling as “the reduction of the level of skill required to complete...