All articles tagged with #supply shortage
Rising demand for menopause hormone therapy—accelerated by FDA label changes and greater public awareness—is outpacing the supply of estrogen transdermal patches, leading to intermittent stockouts, patient brand-switching, and higher costs. Doctors are advising alternatives (other patches, gels, pills) and working with manufacturers to increase capacity as supply catches up.
At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, organizers distributed about 10,000 free condoms across villages and accommodations, but stock ran out amid higher-than-expected demand; restocking is underway to ensure continued availability for athletes and attendees.
Shares of leading memory chipmakers surged due to a global supply shortage driven by high demand for AI infrastructure, with prices more than doubling in some segments and analysts predicting the supercycle could last into 2027.
Silver rebounded after its largest one-day drop in over five years, supported by ongoing supply shortages and strong central bank buying, with prices on track for a yearly high not seen since 1979, despite recent volatility and technical sell-offs.
Silver rebounded after its largest one-day decline in over five years, driven by supply shortages and market volatility, and is on track for a 33% monthly gain, supported by central bank purchases and ETF inflows despite recent price swings.
Brazil's beef supply is tightening as ranchers begin retaining female cattle to rebuild herds, signaling a shift from surplus to scarcity that could raise global beef prices and impact affordability, especially in the US where prices are already high due to drought and high feed costs.
Japan is on the verge of running out of Asahi Super Dry beer due to a cyber attack that disrupted supply chains, highlighting vulnerabilities in the beverage industry.
Demand for weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro in the UK is soaring, risking supply shortages and encouraging unregulated online purchases. Pharmacists warn that the demand may soon outstrip supply, leading to potential misuse and emphasizing the need to prioritize those most in need. The UK government plans to expand access to these drugs, with pharmacists playing a key role in managing distribution and ensuring safety.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa announced that demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 is exceeding supply in many countries, leading to shortages despite strong sales, with over 3.5 million units sold in the first four days, making it the biggest hardware launch in video game history.
New GLP-1 agonist drugs like Zepbound are effective for weight loss but pose challenges when patients must stop due to supply shortages, cost, or side effects. Many regain weight after discontinuing the medication, highlighting the need for chronic treatment and personalized plans. Social media and societal pressures add to the complexity, with some turning to compound pharmacies for alternatives. Experts emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes alongside medication for sustainable weight management.
Patients are struggling to access the weight-loss shot Zepbound due to a shortage of the pre-filled pens used to administer the drug, prompting calls for Eli Lilly & Co. to release more supply. The company's CEO cited the complexity of production systems as a factor contributing to the shortage.
Cocoa prices have surged past $9,000 a ton for the first time ever due to a supply shortage in the market, with futures climbing about 50% in March and more than doubling this year. Poor harvests in West African cocoa-growing regions, caused by bad weather and crop disease, have led to the industry being in a bind, which will likely result in higher chocolate costs throughout the year.
The global chocolate industry is facing a crisis as demand for chocolate significantly exceeds the available cocoa supply, leading to a sharp increase in cocoa prices. Large African cocoa processors have been forced to reduce production due to the soaring costs. Factors such as bad weather, bean disease, and underinvestment in new trees have contributed to dismal cocoa harvests, resulting in a substantial gap between supply and demand. As a result, chocolate prices have already risen, and confection companies like Hershey and Mondelez have warned consumers of further price increases due to higher cocoa costs.
Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell testified that the housing market faces deep-rooted supply issues, with a shortage of 3.5 to 5.5 million housing units. While potential interest rate cuts have raised hopes for relief, Powell emphasized that the housing market's challenges go beyond monetary policy, including restrictive zoning laws and homeowners locked into low mortgage rates. The pandemic, high inflation, and labor shortages have exacerbated the situation, and while rate cuts may offer short-term relief, they won't solve the housing market's long-running supply problems. Powell faces the delicate task of balancing the housing market's impact on the economy with the need to control inflation.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified that the housing market is facing a deep-seated supply shortage, with 3.5 to 5.5 million housing units needed. He emphasized that interest rate cuts alone won't solve the long-running inventory crisis, as the shortage stems from cautious post-financial crisis construction. Powell highlighted factors such as low mortgage rates locking in homeowners and restrictive zoning laws limiting new construction. While markets expect rate cuts, Powell cautioned that they won't address the housing market's fundamental supply issues, and balancing rate adjustments is crucial to avoid threatening the broader economy.