The US is experiencing critical drug shortages, mainly affecting generic medications that, according to a 2022 report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), comprise 91% of all prescriptions dispensed nationwide.
The shortage affects a wide range of drugs, including medications used to treat cancer, ADHD, RSV, and diabetes. There are currently over 300 drugs in short supply, a number that is increasing with time.
The two most significant reasons for the shortage are the unprecedented increase in demand and poor-quality manufacturing practices that have plagued the generics industry.
Here is a recent NBC News report detailing the problem:
The FDA currently lists two providers of prefilled 0.1mg/ml epinephrine syringes most often used in healthcare settings:
| Company | Reason |
|---|---|
| Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc | Backorder due to increased demand |
| Hospira, Inc (Pfizer Subsidiary) | Backorder due to increased demand and possible manufacturing delays |
It should be noted that while epinephrine is still generally available in healthcare settings, these shortages bear watching. Epinephrine auto-injectors generally carried by the public are not currently in shortage.
