U.S. Drug Shortages at 20-Year Low: New Data Reveals
- The number of active prescription drug shortages experienced a minor increase in the fourth quarter of 2025, but continues to be substantially below peak levels seen in recent...
- The FDA defines a drug shortage as a period when a medicine is not available to patients when and where they need it.
- As of January 26, 2026, the FDA reports 131 active drug shortages,a slight increase from the 124 reported at the end of Q3 2025.
Prescription Drug Shortages: Current Status (January 26, 2026)
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The number of active prescription drug shortages experienced a minor increase in the fourth quarter of 2025, but continues to be substantially below peak levels seen in recent years, according to data released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA Monitoring and Recent Trends
The FDA defines a drug shortage as a period when a medicine is not available to patients when and where they need it. Shortages can stem from manufacturing problems, recalls, increased demand, or supply chain disruptions. The FDA actively monitors the drug supply and works with manufacturers to resolve shortages.
As of January 26, 2026, the FDA reports 131 active drug shortages,a slight increase from the 124 reported at the end of Q3 2025. This figure remains significantly lower than the high of 323 shortages reported in late 2023.
Key Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to ongoing shortages. Manufacturing issues, including quality control problems and facility shutdowns, remain a primary cause. Increased demand for certain medications, notably those used to treat respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19, also plays a role. Global supply chain vulnerabilities, exacerbated by geopolitical events, continue to present challenges.
For example,shortages of sodium chloride 0.9% injection, a common intravenous fluid, have been persistent due to increased demand and manufacturing delays. The American Society of health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) maintains a extensive list of current and past shortages, providing detailed details on causes and mitigation strategies.
FDA Mitigation Strategies
The FDA employs several strategies to mitigate drug shortages. These include expediting review of new drug applications,working with manufacturers to increase production,and allowing temporary importation of drugs from foreign facilities. The agency also encourages manufacturers to develop redundant supply chains.
In December 2025, the FDA announced new proposed strategies to further enhance its ability to prevent and manage drug shortages, focusing on early detection of potential disruptions and increased transparency in the supply chain. These proposals are currently under review.
Impact on Patients and Healthcare Providers
Drug shortages can have significant consequences for patients and healthcare providers. Patients may experience delays in treatment, or be forced to use choice medications that might potentially be less effective or have more side effects. Healthcare providers may spend considerable time and resources finding alternative therapies.
The ASHP estimates that drug shortages cost the U.S. healthcare system hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to increased labor costs and the need to procure alternative medications.