When the Pharmacy Runs Out: The Growing Problems of Drug Shortages
Updated: 3 hours ago
By Samuel Ageymang
B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences | Class of 2028 | The Ohio State University
For many patients, picking up a prescription seems simple. A doctor writes the prescription, the pharmacy fills it and the patient takes it home. Behind that process is a complicated pharmaceutical supply chain involving manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies, and healthcare systems. Patients can experience the consequences firsthand through one of healthcare's most persistent problems which is drug shortages. According to the American Society of Health System Pharmacist (ASHP), there are currently 227 active drug shortages in the United States. Although this number is significantly lower than the record high of 323 shortages reported in 2024, the problem remains widespread. ASHP also reports that 77% of current active shortages began in 2022 or later, showing that many shortages are not temporary problems that disappear quickly.
For pharmacists, a shortage means much more than an empty shelf. When a medication becomes unavailable, pharmacists may have to search for another supplier, locate an alternative medication, contact the prescriber, work with insurance companies, and explain the situation to the patient. In hospitals, shortages can become even more complicated when healthcare professionals must adjust treatment plans or find alternative medications for patients who need them.
The causes of these shortages are also more complicated than simply “not enough medicine”. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), shortages can result from manufacturing and quality problems, productive delays, and companies discontinuing certain products. The FDA has also identified a more broader economic and supply chain issue that can make the pharmaceutical market vulnerable when a manufacturer experiences a disruption.
Generic medications are particularly important to this discussion. The FDA notes that generic drugs account for more than 90% of prescriptions in the United States, while also making up more than 80% of drug shortages. Because many generic medications are relatively inexpensive, manufacturers may have fewer financial incentives to maintain large amounts of excess production capacity. This can make the supply more vulnerable when manufacturing problems or other disruption occur. Patients ultimately feel the effects. A shortage can mean waiting longer for a prescription, visiting multiple pharmacies, switching to another medication, or delaying treatment. For pharmacists, it creates additional work while placing them in the difficult position of explaining to patients why a medication they need is suddenly unavailable.
The FDA has taken steps to prevent and mitigate shortages, including working with manufacturers to identify potential disruptions before they become widespread. However, the agency acknowledges that many of the economic focus affecting pharmaceutical supply chains are outside its control. U.S Food and Drug Administration Drug shortages show that pharmacy is about more than simply dispensing mediation.
Pharmacists are often the final link between the pharmaceutical supply chain and the patient. Strengthening supply chain will require cooperation between manufacturers, regulators, healthcare organizations, and pharmacy professionals. Until then, an empty pharmacy shelf can represent a much larger problem than it appears.
Sources
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (n.d.). Drug shortages statistics. ASHP Drug Shortages Statistics
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Drug shortages. FDA Drug Shortages
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Supply chain. FDA Supply Chain
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