Pfizer, Teva Report Shortage of Antibiotic Azithromycin Due to COVID-19 Demand

Drugmakers, including Pfizer and Teva, are reporting shortages of azithromycin tablets, which are being used to treat COVID-19 patients.

Pfizer said it is experiencing an “unprecedented surge in demand,” which is limiting its ability to fulfill orders in the short term. It had a healthy supply of the antibiotic, which it markets as Zithromax and is used to treat infections and pneumonia, prior to the pandemic.

The company expects deliveries of the antibiotic no later than July and already has some supply available. However, it did not give a timeframe for when the shortage will be fully resolved.

Teva said it has “supplied an unprecedented amount of demand,” and that it is “constantly replenishing supply and continuing to ship product” daily.

Teva did not specify how long the shortage will last but is anticipating the drug to be on backorder. However, it said that it plans to produce “as much as possible, as soon as possible.” — Jordan Williams