U.S. Drug Shortages Decline but Duration Lengthens, Analysis Shows
The number of prescription drug shortages in the U.S. fell 23% last year to the lowest level since 2017, according to a new analysis by U.S. Pharmacopeia. However, the average duration of shortages increased to 5.3 years in 2025, up from 4.3 years in 2024, with nearly two-thirds of out-of-stock medicines unavailable for more than three years. The findings suggest that while the frequency of shortages is improving, the persistence of individual shortages remains a significant systemic problem affecting patients across multiple therapeutic categories.
A new analysis by U.S. Pharmacopeia reveals a mixed picture of drug shortages in the United States. While the number of prescription drug shortages declined 23% last year to reach the lowest level since 2017, marking the second consecutive year of declines, the duration of individual shortages has worsened significantly. The average drug shortage now lasts 5.3 years, exceeding the 4.3 years recorded in 2024 and substantially longer than the two-year average seen in 2019. Nearly two-thirds of out-of-stock medicines were in short supply for more than three years, and 39% remained unavailable for more than five years. The 75 drugs in short supply last year spanned 130 therapeutic categories, indicating that shortages affected a wide range of diseases and patient populations across the healthcare system.
What's missing
The analysis does not explain the underlying causes of why shortages, while fewer in number, are lasting significantly longer than in previous years. Additionally, there is limited discussion of what specific therapeutic categories or patient populations are most affected by these prolonged shortages.
How coverage differed
STAT News, a healthcare-focused publication, presented the data with balanced emphasis on both the positive decline in shortage numbers and the concerning increase in shortage duration. The framing acknowledges systemic problems while noting measurable improvements, reflecting the publication's focus on pharmaceutical industry accountability and patient access issues.
What different sources said
- STAT NewsCenter
STAT+: The shortage of many medicines in the U.S. remains a ‘systemic’ problem, a new analysis finds
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