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Glossary · Tier 1

Drug Shortage

Also known as: medication shortage, drug supply shortage, pharmaceutical shortage

Verified from FDA on 06-02-2026
Quick answer

A drug shortage is a federally defined supply condition tracked by the FDA at the national level, based on information reported by manufacturers about their ability to supply the U.S. market. The term applies when current supply falls short of current demand, or when forecasts indicate supply will not meet projected demand. The FDA's own definition follows below.

MedivaScan summary. The authoritative source quote follows below.

FDA definition

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines a drug shortage as a period of time when the demand or projected demand for the drug within the United States exceeds the supply of the drug. FDA tracks shortages at the national level and receives information from manufacturers about their ability to supply the market. We consider a drug to be in shortage when, on a nationwide level, supply is not meeting current demand, or if supply is not forecasted to meet projected demand.

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationView on source ›Verbatim quote. Last verified 06-02-2026.
For information only. MedivaScan summarizes public FDA data and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before changing any medication. If you experience a serious reaction, contact your doctor or call 911.