ASHP reports record high number of drug shortages

ASHP tracked a record 323 active drug shortages during the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the previous record of 320 shortages in 2014.

"Some of the most worrying shortages involve generic sterile injectable medications, including cancer chemotherapy drugs and emergency medications stored in hospital crash carts and procedural areas," said ASHP CEO Paul Abramowitz.

In a statement submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee for a February hearing on chronic drug shortages, AHA recommended Congress enact legislation to diversify manufacturing sites and sources for critical pharmaceutical ingredients; support an increase in end-user and supply chain inventories for critical medications; develop a rating system for drug maker quality management processes; identify essential drugs needing more domestic manufacturing capacity; and require drug makers to disclose where their products are made and when demand for essential drugs spikes.