You can find the number of shortages reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2011 and 2015, as well as how many shortages the FDA prevented, on the chart at the bottom of this infographic. The FDA continues to see shortages involving older sterile injectable drugs. These shortages have involved cancer drugs, anesthetics used for patients undergoing surgery, as well as drugs needed for emergency medicine, and electrolytes needed for patients on IV feeding. Fortunately, FDA has also been able to prevent a significant number of drug shortages. The Agency’s ability to prevent shortages has been greatly facilitated by increased early notifications from manufacturers.
