Drug Shortages: Why Medications Run Out and What You Can Do

When your pharmacy says they don’t have your blood pressure pill, or your child’s ADHD medication is backordered, that’s a drug shortage, a situation where the supply of a medication falls below demand, leaving patients without access to essential treatments. Also known as medication shortages, these aren’t rare glitches—they’re systemic issues that hit everyone from seniors on cholesterol meds to parents of kids with asthma inhalers. It’s not just about running out of stock. It’s about why the system keeps failing to deliver what people need.

Generic drugs, low-cost versions of brand-name medications that make up over 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. are the most common victims. Why? Because manufacturers make thin margins on generics, so when costs rise—due to raw material shortages, factory inspections, or shipping delays—they simply stop making them. One plant in India or China can supply half the country’s antibiotics. If that plant shuts down for safety violations, you’re left without your medicine. The FDA, the U.S. agency responsible for approving and monitoring drug safety and supply tracks these shortages, but they often can’t fix them fast enough. Even when a drug is approved, getting it made and shipped takes months. Meanwhile, people skip doses, switch to riskier alternatives, or pay hundreds more for the brand-name version.

It’s not just about pills. Shortages hit epinephrine auto-injectors, cancer drugs, IV fluids, and even basic antibiotics like ampicillin. And when one drug disappears, doctors scramble to find replacements—sometimes using something less proven, more expensive, or with worse side effects. The ripple effect hits hospitals, pharmacies, and your wallet. You might not realize it, but your prescription cost just jumped because the generic version isn’t available.

There’s no magic fix. But knowing how these shortages happen helps you prepare. Keep extra refills on hand when possible. Ask your pharmacist if an alternative generic exists. Check the FDA’s shortage list before your refill is due. And don’t assume your doctor knows what’s available—many don’t get real-time updates either.

In the posts below, you’ll find real stories and practical tools: how to track drug availability, what to do when your meds disappear, how manufacturers report shortages, and how policies like GDUFA and market exclusivity extensions make the problem worse—or sometimes better. This isn’t theoretical. These are the tools and insights you need to keep your treatment on track when the system lets you down.