Medicines redistribution as a strategy to minimize shortages and wastage – a protocol for a scoping review

Medicines play a crucial role in healthcare services, as they are essential for the prevention, treatment, and management of diseases, making it vital to ensure their regular supply. At the same time, the economic and environmental challenges associated with pharmaceuticals highlight the need for developing strategies that minimize wastage and promote sustainability. Medicines redistribution—through exchanges, sharing, loans, or donations—has been employed to manage stock-outs or overstocking in different settings. However, existing evidence on this practice has yet to be systematically synthesized. This project aims to explore how medicines redistribution can contribute to mitigate shortages and reduce waste.