Drug shortages in US spike nearly 50% as supply issues strain healthcare system

There are currently 301 national drug shortages in the US, a 49% increase from early 2018.
Shortages of drugs like Adderall and Ozempic are caused by unexpected demand spikes, manufacturing problems, and tight ingredient supplies.
Medications that generate thin profits have little incentive for manufacturers to make and store large amounts in case of a shortage.
Shortages can lead to treatment delays, medication switches, and other hassles for patients, and doctors may be forced to prescribe less effective alternatives.
It is difficult to predict when shortages may be resolved, and future shortages are possible due to overreliance on foreign sources for raw materials and lack of end-to-end visibility into the pharmaceutical supply chain.