How Prescription Drug Shortages Threaten Public Health

August 28, 2025

Instability in the medication supply chain is causing product shortages that threaten public health, according to a new report from the American College of Physicians.

Released this month, the report highlights how drug shortages have reached record levels, “straining hospitals and physicians and negatively impacting patient care.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• Underlying causes:  The report notes several contributing factors, including complexity of the supply chain; quality issues; outdated manufacturing facilities and practices; policies prioritizing price over reliable production; changes in prescribing and usage patterns; geopolitical constraints; and market concentration.
• Top trends:  This year, providers have managed shortages for amphetamine salts, GLP-1s, and intravenous fluids, among others.
  • About two-thirds of all drugs in shortage are injectables, the report notes.
• By the numbers:  About  84 percent of drug shortages were for generic drugs. The implementation of tariffs is another key issue to watch, as generic products are produced on already low margins in other regions.
  • “Low list prices and limited profit margins create weak financial incentives for robust production and supply of generic drugs,” the report notes.
• Call to action:  The report asks policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, health systems, health professionals, and others to come together to address drug shortages and promote access.
  • The group is also calling for investments to diversify and strengthen the prescription drug supply chain and incentives that promote reliable and sustainable production.
• Bottom line:  “When prescription drugs are in shortage, patients face negative health outcomes due to being unable to obtain necessary treatments, the stress associated with securing medications, and adverse effects from alternative treatments,” the report said.

The report is available to review online.