Tag: Supply chain

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.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), several manufacturers of dorzolamide ophthalmic solution have recently experienced supply issues, leading many to ask: **Is there a dorzolamide shortage?**.

Millions of people rely on fiber supplements for digestive regularity, yet many have recently been asking: **Why is Citrucel out of stock everywhere?** A combination of supply chain disruptions, manufacturing issues, and rising demand created a perfect storm for this popular product [1.3.1, 1.3.6].

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first listed Zepbound on its drug shortage list in April 2024, citing immense demand that outpaced the manufacturer's production. The question, **Why is Zepbound out of stock everywhere?**, can be answered by examining the perfect storm of surging demand, manufacturing complexities, and regulatory changes affecting compounded alternatives.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the US faced over 300 active drug shortages at the end of 2023, the highest number since recordkeeping began. For many patients starting their weight loss journey, a common concern is the availability of their medication, leading to the question: **is Zepbound 7.5 hard to get?** While supply issues previously affected certain doses, the national shortage for Zepbound was officially resolved by the FDA in late 2024, though localized issues and high demand can still present challenges.

The global market for pilocarpine hydrochloride, the primary form of the drug, was valued at over $450 million in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly by 2033. Understanding what is the price of pilocarpine raw material requires a look beyond simple retail costs, as bulk pricing for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) is influenced by complex market dynamics.

In late 2024, the popular “miracle” nappy rash cream, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment, was permanently removed from UK shelves, leaving many parents dismayed. The manufacturer, Thornton & Ross, confirmed the product's discontinuation, sparking widespread confusion. The central question—**why was metanium discontinued?**—was finally answered with news of critical ingredient sourcing problems.

In July 2025, the FDA upgraded a recall of over 160,000 bottles of Accord Healthcare's levothyroxine sodium tablets due to subpotency issues, representing a significant cause for why levothyroxine is backordered and drawing attention to underlying vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain. This event was one of several recent disruptions impacting the availability of this essential thyroid medication.

According to the Healthcare Supply Chain Association, Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) are estimated to save the U.S. healthcare system up to $55 billion annually. This massive economic impact highlights why understanding what does GPO stand for in pharmacy is crucial for healthcare professionals and business owners seeking to optimize their supply chain and reduce costs.