Tag: Drug shortages

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), patient safety incidents related to medications are more likely when reconciliation is delayed, highlighting the importance of timely drug administration in acute care settings. Understanding what are critical drugs and why their timely use is non-negotiable is essential for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, drug shortages reached an all-time high of 323 medications in 2023, frequently delaying prescription pickups. This critical factor, alongside a host of others, directly influences whether you can pick up a prescription immediately upon arrival at the pharmacy.

With over 6.7 billion prescriptions dispensed in the U.S. in 2022, many people wonder: how long does it take a pharmacy to fill a prescription? [1.8.2] While some are ready in minutes, many factors can extend this wait time significantly.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), there were 271 active drug shortages at the end of 2024, continuing a prolonged crisis. Affecting everything from critical cancer treatments to common antibiotics, the situation prompts a crucial question for patients and providers alike: **what drugs are in shortage right now in the USA**?

As of late 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared the national shortage of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, resolved after months of intermittent supply issues. This positive development addresses the pressing patient question: **Is Zepbound 5mg available?** While the national supply has stabilized, local pharmacy stock and access methods can still vary, making it crucial to understand current purchasing options.

Recent drug shortages, including a worldwide pentobarbital shortage in 2021, have forced medical and veterinary professionals to seek other options [1.8.1, 1.8.4]. Understanding what are the alternatives to pentobarbital is now a critical aspect of patient care, anesthesia, and humane euthanasia.

As of mid-2025, the U.S. is grappling with over 250 active drug shortages, a crisis impacting hundreds of thousands of patients [1.6.1, 1.6.3]. This raises a critical question for patients nationwide: why are pharmacies struggling to get medication?

At the end of 2023, 323 drugs were in active shortage in the US, the highest number since recordkeeping began in 2001, highlighting the urgent and complex problem of **why are so many prescription drugs out of stock**. The reasons behind this scarcity are multifaceted, involving a web of manufacturing, economic, and logistical challenges that disrupt the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

While the brand-name version, Trusopt, was officially discontinued by its manufacturer, recent supply chain issues and reports from 2025 have fueled confusion about whether they are discontinuing dorzolamide entirely. This generic medication remains a critical part of glaucoma management for many patients.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the United States saw a record number of active drug shortages in the first quarter of 2024, highlighting the urgency of understanding the so-called “drug exodus”. This informal term describes the significant, large-scale movements and challenges within the pharmaceutical landscape, including the discontinuation of vital medications and shifts in drug abuse patterns.