Drug Shortages Statistics

National Drug Shortages
New Shortages by Year
January 2001 to March 2024

Note: Each column represents the number of new shortages identified during that year.
University of Utah Drug Information Service
Contact: [email protected], @foxerinr for more information.

National Drug Shortages
New Shortages by Year
January 2001 to March 2024, % Injectable

Note: Each column represents the number of new shortages identified during that year.
University of Utah Drug Information Service
Contact: [email protected], @foxerinr for more information.

National Drug Shortages
Active Shortages by Quarter – 10 Year Trend

Note: Each point represents the number of active shortages at the end of each quarter.
University of Utah Drug Information Service
Contact: [email protected], @foxerinr for more information.

National Drug Shortages
Active Shortages Top 5 Drug Classes

University of Utah Drug Information Service
Contact: [email protected], @foxerinr for more information.

National Drug Shortages
Common Drug Classes in Short Supply – 5 Year Trend

University of Utah Drug Information Service
Contact: [email protected], @foxerinr for more information.

National Drug Shortages
Reasons for Shortages as Reported by Manufacturers
During UUDIS Investigation

University of Utah Drug Information Service
Contact: [email protected], @foxerinr for more information.

Summary

• Ongoing and active shortages are the highest number (323) since we began tracking data in 2001.
• Basic and life-saving products are in short supply including oxytocin, Rho(D) immune globulin, standard of care chemotherapy, pain and sedation medications, and ADHD medications.
• New DEA quota changes, along with allocation practices established after opioid legal settlements, are exacerbating shortages of controlled substances (12% of all active shortages).
• Workload required to manage shortages, including work to change pharmacy automation and electronic health records, adds to the challenges of pharmacy staff shortages.

Selected Links of Interest

• Federal Policies to Address Persistent Generic Drug Shortages
  • https://www.brookings.edu/articles/federal-policies-to-address-persistent-generic-drug-shortages/
• ASHP Drug Shortage Survey Report
  • https://www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/drug-shortages/docs/ASHP-2023-Drug-Shortages-Survey-Report.pdf
• Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee (hearing)
  • https://energycommerce.house.gov/events/health-subcommittee-legislative-hearing-legislative-proposals-to-prevent-and-respond-to-generic-drug-shortages
• Senate Finance Committee (hearing)
  • https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/drug-shortages-examining-supply-challenges-impacts-and-policy-solutions-from-a-federal-health-program-perspective
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs (hearing and report)
  • https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/drug-shortage-health-and-national-security-risks-underlying-causes-and-needed-reforms/
  • https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023-06-06-HSGAC-Majority-Draft-Drug-Shortages-Report.-FINAL-CORRECTED.pdf
• Building Resilience Into US Prescription Drug Supply Chains
  • https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/building-resilience-into-us-prescription-drug-supply-chains
• National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to examine the security of America’s medical product supply chain
  • https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/security-of-americas-medical-product-supply-chain
• Improving the Quality and Resilience of the United States Healthcare Supply Chain
  • https://www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/news-and-media/docs/Healthcare-Supply-Chain-Recommendations
• National Strategy for a Resilient Public Health Supply Chain
  • https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/Documents/National-Strategy-for-Resilient-Public-Health-Supply-Chain.pdf
• Essential Prescription Drugs Supply Chain and Manufacturing Resilience Assessment
  • https://www.armiusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ARMI_Essential-Medicines_Supply-Chain-Report_508.pdf