Drug shortages are lasting longer and reach all-time high

In its first report on drug shortages, the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) noted that drug shortages are lasting longer than before and are affecting a broad range of therapeutic classes.

Now, the average drug shortage lasts for more than 3 years, versus about 2 years in 2020, and 53% of new drug shortages involved generic sterile injectable products, according to the report.

USP highlights four factors that individually, or in combination, may make a drug more at risk of being in short supply: low prices, manufacturing complexity, geographic concentration, and quality concerns.

To resolve the issues, USP recommends market and policy solutions that focus on both long- and short-term requirements, including risk mitigation efforts, public and private investment and partnerships, payment reform to reward reliability, and manufacturing quality, coordination, and accountability.

Earlier this year, USP signed onto a collective call to action to alleviate and prevent drug shortages.