"US Faces Record High Drug Shortages"

The United States is experiencing a record-high number of active drug shortages, with 323 drugs in shortage in the first three months of 2024. Shortages affect various drug classes, including generic sterile injectable medications, chemotherapy drugs, and therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The average drug shortage lasts about a year and a half, impacting at least half a million patients, and is often caused by manufacturing and quality problems. The US Health and Human Services Office has shared policy suggestions to prevent shortages, but concerns remain about financial penalties for hospitals lacking resources to comply with the recommendations.