In March 2023, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs released a document supporting findings that drug shortages increased by almost 30% between 2021 and 2022. The number of active drug shortages in the U.S. reached a peak of 295 at the end of 2022. In just the last 60 days, two generic manufacturers have left the generic drug market with Akorn Pharmaceuticals filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Eagle Pharmaceuticals withdrawing its only generic product from the market. Furthermore, increases in telehealth services for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have only expanded the shortage of products like immediate-release (IR) amphetamine mixed salts to methylphenidate. If this trend of generic manufacturers leaving the market continues, we could see less opportunity for discounts and increased future drug shortages, leading to an increase in usage of more costly brand name medications.
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Drug-Shortages-HSGAC-Majority-Staff-Report-2023-03-22.pdf
