For important nonprescription medications and medical supplies, it's also a good idea to replenish your regular supply a few days before running out. Drugs can lose their efficacy over time. In addition, over-buying will deplete the nation's supply system. Because wholesalers have several weeks' excess supply of most drugs, pharmacies will be within easy access of this natural cushion. If some consumers buy an excess of medications, it will create an imbalance in the system so that others may not have access to the drugs that they need.
Pharmacies fully expect to have substantial supplies of drugs on hand.
For this reason, pharmacies will have a 90-day supply of most drugs available to draw upon. If the pharmacy does not have a medication, the pharmacist might obtain a supply from another local pharmacy. If another local pharmacist or pharmacy does not have the drug, the pharmacist will turn to his wholesaler to obtain the product. If the wholesaler has the product, it will be shipped to the pharmacist quickly, sometimes that same day. If the wholesaler does not have the product, the pharmacy will contact another wholesaler or the manufacturer.