The Shortage of Amoxicillin: An Escalating Public Health Crisis in Pediatrics Faced by Several Western Countries

The antibiotic amoxicillin is usually recommended as a first-line treatment for many common infections affecting children, including otitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and strep throat. It is an effective, relatively inexpensive drug that is available in generic formulations. For years, pediatricians have feared a major health crisis caused by the growing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. Among the various causes, including unnecessary use of antibiotics in agriculture, poor sanitation practices, and poor infection control in hospitals and clinics, overuse and misuse of antibiotics in clinical practice have been recognized to be the main factors accelerating antibiotic resistance. However, antibiotic shortages have never been considered as a possible critical issue in public health and health care delivery. In particular, the unavailability of essential first-line antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, was considered a remote possibility. Contrary to these expectations, Authorities and Public Agencies in Europe and the US are now reporting shortages of amoxicillin, raising concerns that one of the most widely used antibiotics for the treatment of various pediatric conditions will be in short supply for the current winter season and for months to come. This article, jointly authored by members of French, Israel, and Italian Societies of Pediatrics, in collaboration with the Confederation of European Pediatricians and the European Pediatric Association/Union of European National Pediatric Societies and Associations, briefly outlines the current public health crisis caused by the shortage of amoxicillin, which exposes children to life-threatening conditions. The goal is to raise awareness among pediatricians, public health officials, and governments about the risks caused by prolonged drug shortages and particularly the unavailability of amoxicillin in Western countries and other areas of the world.