Hello. I'm sorry you've run into problems getting your medication. Unfortunately, drug shortages are pretty common these days.
I haven't heard anything specific about shortages of Hydromet from Actavis, but this company has had some shortages of other narcotic-based formulations, such as oxymorphone, so there could be something slowing down products in their pipeline. As far as the oxymorphone is concerned, pharmacies should be getting resupplied by Actavis any day now. Your pharmacist's suggestion to try another pharmacy is reasonable, so you may want to call around if you haven't already done so. You may also want to ask your pharmacist if he/she knows when they'll be getting resupplied with the Hydromet. You may only have to wait a few days, or it could be several weeks before your pharmacist can fill your prescription.
This situation does present an opportunity to try something else for your post-nasal drip. Hydromet is only indicated for short-term use, but many patients wind up taking it for chronic problems because nothing else seems to work as well. However, there are lots of alternative ways to deal with post-nasal drip that wouldn't require long-term use of a narcotic. I suggest you talk to your doctor about some of these alternatives, which might include a non-sedating oral antihistamine or a nasal spray (ipratropium or a corticosteroid might be useful in your case).
I hope that answers your question. I'll be available if you have additional concerns, but I think a brief discussion with your own doctor would be worthwhile.
Good luck!

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You're most welcome.

For what it's worth, drug shortages are nothing new in the U.S. They've just recently been more in the public eye because a few "high-profile" medications (Adderall, for instance) have had their supply lines interrupted. Oddly enough, many of these shortages have been triggered by the pharmaceutical industry's manipulation of patent laws.

As for Medicare, doctors have unfortunately been ratcheting down their acceptance rate for at least 20 years. When a physician's overhead costs average 63 cents on the dollar, any insurance plan that only pays 60 cents on the dollar (and pays progressively less each year) can only represent a small proportion of a medical practice if that doctor wants to keep seeing any patients at all.
As an "uninsurable" patient myself, I agree that our system is in XXXXXXX trouble. It's too bad we can't all be king or queen for just one day.

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