How do recalls impact the antimicrobial supply chain?

Recalls significantly impact the antimicrobial supply chain primarily by causing drug shortages. When a recall occurs, it often involves the halting of production of the affected antimicrobial products or the need to return already distributed stock to manufacturers. This disruption creates gaps in availability, as pharmaceuticals must be thoroughly evaluated and remediated before they can be reintroduced to the market. Consequently, the reduction in available products leads to diminished quantities of effective antimicrobial treatments, which can have serious implications for patient care and treatment outcomes during critical times.

In contrast, while increased production rates and market stability might seem like positive outcomes, they are typically not associated with a recall scenario, as recalls primarily focus on safety and compliance issues that require immediate attention and resolution rather than encouraging increased production or market adjustments.