ASHP lists every drug shortage reported through our online report form as soon as it is investigated and confirmed, usually within 24-72 hours. The FDA site focuses only on shortages of medically necessary* drugs, as these have the potential to impact public health. More information is available on FDA’s website.
*A medically necessary drug is a product that prevents a serious disease or medical condition and for which there is no drug or alternative drug, available in adequate quantity that is judged by FDA’s medical staff to be an acceptable substitute. The FDA Drug Shortage Program Staff designates some drugs as medically necessary when the preferred therapy is in shortage.
