Background Drug shortages have become a significant challenge globally, affecting healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess drug shortages' prevalence, causes, and impact at a tertiary care hospital in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), providing actionable insights for future mitigation strategies. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Mediclinic Parkview (MPAR) Hospital, part of Mediclinic Middle East (MCME), UAE. Data were collected from January 2019 to December 2023. Reported drug shortages were analyzed to assess their frequency, duration, causes, and management, with a focus on identifying trends and underlying factors. Results Drug shortages peaked at 995 in 2020, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The median time spent managing shortages reached 19.5 days per shortage in Q3 2020. Oral forms accounted for the highest frequency (n = 2231), representing 61% of all shortages, followed by topical forms (n = 414, 11%) and injection forms (n = 386, 10%). Most affected drugs were in the infectious disease (n = 547, 15%), cardiovascular (n = 387, 11%), and respiratory (n = 330, 9%) categories. Drug shortages were driven by regulatory issues and manufacturing delays (39%), unknown reasons (29%), and supply chain disruptions exacerbated by the pandemic (10%). A monopoly environment worsened the situation and limited sourcing flexibility, with 66% of shortages linked to zero supply competitors. Tirzepatide (n = 20) and oseltamivir (n = 18) were the drugs most frequently reported to be unavailable over the 60-month study interval. Regarding management efforts, 80% of the time was spent gathering information and communicating with the different stakeholders. The hospital's response included contacting prescribers for alternatives and increased reliance on internal procurement and inter-pharmacy coordination. These shortages caused significant operational strain, with increased workloads and higher costs. Conclusion The study highlighted the need for adopting proactive measures, improved strategies, enhanced communication, and better preparedness to address future drug shortages. Key actions involved investing in technology, strengthening supplier relationships, and advocating for policy reforms to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of care.
