The United States is facing an increasing number of drug shortages, causing delays in treatments for life-threatening conditions such as cancer. Hospitals are struggling to find drugs, with some antibiotics still scarce after the winter flu season, and even children’s Tylenol difficult to obtain. Hundreds of drugs are on the list of medications in short supply, and the situation is being investigated by Congress and the White House, as well as pharmaceutical supply chain experts and patient advocates. The scarcity of generic forms of chemotherapy is also a concern, and officials warn that the delays arising from the shortages could lead to worse outcomes for patients.
