Drug shortages, particularly for generic drugs, are a growing problem in the United States, with no clear path to resolving them, according to experts. The reasons for shortages vary, including unexpected demand spikes, manufacturing issues, tight ingredient supplies, and a lack of incentives for manufacturers. Patients are affected by treatment delays, medication switches, and other issues when filling a prescription. Stimulants used to treat ADHD have been particularly affected. Injectables, used in hospitals and clinics, are more than twice as likely as tablets or topical treatments to be in short supply. It can also be challenging for patients to get reliable information on shortages.
Despite recent shortages easing, the prospect of future shortages remains, partly because of overreliance on foreign sources, as well as a lack of visibility into the entire pharmaceutical supply chain.
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