Medication shortages usually start upstream. In an FDA analysis of 163 drugs that went into shortage from 2013 to 2017, 62% followed manufacturing or product quality problems. Demand spikes, disasters, discontinuations, and unknown causes accounted for the rest. A shortage listing is national, though, and a pharmacy shelf is local. That gap is where a phone search can help.

Key takeaways

  • FDA says manufacturing quality issues are the most common reason for drug shortages. Other causes include production and raw-material delays, sudden demand increases, and discontinuations.
  • FDA's root-cause report points to economics: low prices for older generics, a market that does not reward quality, and a slow recovery after a disruption.
  • For controlled substances, DEA sets annual production quotas that cap total manufacturing. DEA also says shortages can arise from factors outside its control, and that quotas do not limit what pharmacies can order from distributors.
  • FDA measures shortages nationally. A pharmacy can be out of a drug that is not in national shortage, and different pharmacies can have different stock when it is.
  • A phone search cannot create supply. It can find the pharmacies that have your exact product, which is often the hard part.

Why do medication shortages happen?

FDA's FAQ says manufacturing quality issues are the most common reason, and that production and raw-material delays, sudden demand increases, and discontinuations also play a part. FDA's 2019 root-cause report put numbers on it. Of 163 drugs that went into shortage between 2013 and 2017:

  • 62% followed supply disruptions tied to manufacturing or product quality problems.
  • 12% followed unanticipated demand increases.
  • 5% followed natural disasters, and 3% followed product discontinuations.
  • 18% had unknown reasons.

The same report found that 63% of those drugs were sterile injectables and 67% had a generic version on the market. Those drugs also tended to be older and low priced. The report's three root causes are economic. Makers of older generics face intense price competition, which limits their reason to invest in quality or backup capacity. Buyers have little information about manufacturing quality, so the market does not reward better quality systems. And a longer, more complex global supply chain makes recovery after a disruption slow.

Why do shortages last so long?

FDA noted that some shortages have lasted more than 8 years. In its analysis of shortages from 2013 to 2017, only 42% of the drugs saw significant production increases, and only 30% had sales restored to at least pre-shortage levels. A manufacturer may fix a problem, but customers, contracts, and supply lines take time to rebuild.

What does this look like for ADHD medicines?

ADHD stimulants are Schedule II controlled substances, so DEA adds a layer. Under 21 CFR 1303.11, DEA sets an aggregate production quota each year, a cap on the total amount of each Schedule II substance that can be made. In its final 2026 quotas, DEA said quotas cap total production and do not impose any ordering thresholds or limits on pharmacies buying from distributors. DEA also wrote that shortages can occur for reasons outside its control, such as manufacturing and quality problems, processing delays, supply chain disruptions, or discontinuations.

FDA's own entry for amphetamine mixed salts tablets shows how mixed the causes can be. First posted October 12, 2022, it lists "shortage of an active ingredient" as the reason for many manufacturers' products and "demand increase for the drug" for one. It also shows that some manufacturers list strengths as available while others do not. Our ADHD medication shortage status post has the full picture.

Why can my pharmacy be out when the drug is not in shortage?

FDA says that when a drug is out of stock, it is usually a temporary, local issue. Its order on the semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) shortage explains the difference. FDA judged the shortage resolved nationally in February 2025, yet acknowledged that some people still had trouble getting prescriptions filled. It attributed those gaps to the supply chain between the manufacturer and its customers, including wholesale distributors and pharmacies.

The reverse can also happen. A drug can be listed in shortage while some pharmacies still have it, because different pharmacies buy from different wholesalers and manufacturers. FDA also says local shortages can sometimes signal a future national one, and that when it hears about local issues it contacts manufacturers to check whether supply will meet national demand.

Where does a phone search fit?

The usual way to find stock is to call pharmacies, one after another, and ask for your exact drug, strength, and form. That works, but it takes time, especially when you are already worried about running out. Our post on what to do when your pharmacy is out of stock covers the manual route.

Needle does the calling for you. It phones pharmacies on your behalf, using AI voice agents and human callers, and asks for the exact drug, strength, and form. It then reports which pharmacies said they have it. Its database covers 60,000+ US pharmacies, and it has placed more than one million pharmacy calls. When stock is found, Needle attaches a prescription savings card. Pricing is $1.00 per pharmacy call, pay as you go, with plans for people who search more often. See pricing and how it works, or start at app.findneedle.co.

A phone search has limits. It cannot make a manufacturer produce more, and it will not help if no pharmacy in your area has the product. For controlled substances, some pharmacies will not confirm stock to callers they do not know, so a result may be unclear.

What else should I do during a shortage?

  • Talk with your prescriber or pharmacist. FDA says that if a drug is on its shortage list, you should talk with your provider or pharmacist about options. Only your prescriber can change your dose, strength, form, or medicine, so please do not make those changes on your own.
  • Check FDA's database. Search by generic name or active ingredient to see the status and each manufacturer's availability.
  • Report a shortage that is not listed. FDA has a public portal for reports.

Frequently asked questions

What causes most drug shortages?

FDA says manufacturing quality issues are the most common reason. In its analysis of 163 shortages from 2013 to 2017, 62% followed manufacturing or product quality problems.

Does a shortage listing mean no pharmacy has my medicine?

No. FDA lists each manufacturer's status separately, and it measures shortages nationally. Your pharmacy's stock depends on its wholesaler and which manufacturers it buys from.

Do DEA production quotas cause the ADHD medication shortage?

DEA says the quotas cap total manufacturing and do not limit pharmacy orders from distributors, and that shortages can also come from manufacturing and quality problems and supply chain disruptions. FDA's entries for ADHD stimulants list reasons such as a shortage of an active ingredient and increased demand.

Can Needle fix a shortage?

No. Needle cannot create supply. It phones pharmacies for you and reports which ones say they have your exact drug, strength, and form.

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