A new report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) indicates that one out of every two new drug shortages is being attributed to a single manufacturer. This finding comes as the total number of active U.S. drug shortages has increased to 227 in the second quarter of 2026, marking the third consecutive quarterly rise. [1] The report highlights that these shortages have been occurring more frequently and persisting for longer periods, posing significant challenges for healthcare providers who rely on consistent supply of medications. [2] Experts suggest that this trend could be due to a variety of factors including manufacturing issues, regulatory delays, or economic pressures faced by pharmaceutical companies. However, the report does not provide specific details on which manufacturers are most frequently involved in these shortages.
1 in 2 New Drug Shortages Linked to Single Manufacturers, Report Finds
A new report reveals that half of the recent drug shortages are linked to a single manufacturer, with the number of active shortages reaching 227 in Q2 2026.
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Sources agree
- shortage numbers have increased
- single manufacturer is often responsible for new shortages
Sources differ
- number of shortages has decreased
- no clear pattern identified regarding the cause of shortages