A comprehensive analysis of US prescription drug shortages reveals mixed progress in pharmaceutical supply management. Data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists shows 323 drug shortages reported in 2025, a substantial decrease from 420 cases in 2024—representing a 23% reduction and the largest annual improvement in over a decade.
Yet the breakdown by therapeutic category exposes persistent vulnerabilities. Cancer medications account for 28% of all reported shortages, representing 91 oncology drugs experiencing supply disruptions throughout 2025. Injectable antibiotics, cardiovascular medications, and pain management drugs round out the most affected categories at 22%, 18%, and 15% respectively.
Dr. Michael Ganio, ASHP’s senior director of pharmacy practice and quality, notes that manufacturing quality issues continue to undermine supply chain stability. These findings underscore that while overall shortage numbers have improved, the concentration of disruptions in critical therapeutic areas—particularly oncology—demands targeted solutions.
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