US drug shortages climb for third consecutive quarter, many rely on single suppliers

The latest data show that the count of medicines in shortage across the United States increased again in the most recent quarter, marking the third straight period of growth.

Analysts note that nearly half of the drugs experiencing tight supply are produced by only one manufacturer, making the supply chain especially vulnerable to disruptions.

The shortage trend raises concerns for hospitals and patients who depend on these medications, and it highlights the need for broader manufacturing capacity and contingency planning.

Regulators are monitoring the situation, but no specific policy changes have been announced yet.