New Drug Shortage Hearings in Congress | Will Supply Chains Improve? | Simplefill

As of March 2025, there were 270 medications in active shortage status in the United States. Many of these medications had also been scarce for months or years before that, which has left healthcare providers scrambling.  

These medication shortages have placed an inordinate strain on the healthcare system and on patients who rely on everything from cancer medications to sterile injectables for diabetes and other chronic conditions. But what is propelling the lack of medications, and what can be done about it? 

Why Do Medication Shortages Occur?

Supply Chains

One of the biggest problems currently affecting medication production is supply chain disruptions.  

Supply chains have gotten progressively weaker, making it difficult for pharmaceutical companies to get what they need to manufacture drugs. This hasn’t been helped by rising global instability and even extreme weather that have prevented manufacturers from getting vital supplies.  

Quality Control

There are often quality control issues that come into play, too. Some of the most vital medications on the market are only made by a few manufacturers. If just one of them has to halt production of these drugs, for any reason, it can be very difficult to get drug stock numbers to the levels needed to address patient needs.  

Profit

Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies are for-profit businesses. If they see that profit margins have shrunk, they might slow down the production of less-profitable medications to make more profitable ones.  

Annual Production Quotas

Another issue that has impacted certain drugs, including stimulants that help people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is the Drug Enforcement Administration’s annual production quotas.  

It has become impossible for manufacturers to increase their production of these medications, even though demand has also increased.  

What Hearings Are Happening in Congress and What Will Be Discussed?

End Drug Shortages Act

Recently, a number of bills that have bipartisan support have been brought forward so that Congress can consider them. One of these is the End Drug Shortages Act. It strives to improve the early warning systems for shortages by requiring drug manufacturers to alert the FDA if there are any surges in patient demand.  

Until now, the alert system has focused only on notifying the FDA when there are production interruptions. The added step is a more proactive approach to managing the problem.  

Drug Shortage Prevention Act

Another proposal before Congress is the Drug Shortage Prevention Act. This bill would require manufacturers of critical drugs to alert the Secretary of Health and Human Services about increased demand, production interruptions, and other issues that could affect the manufacture of important medications.  

This act also requires at least six months of warning before the potential discontinuation of a drug. 

The Finance Committee Proposal

Additionally, there is the Finance Committee Proposal. This is a draft crafted by the Senate Finance Committee that offers Medicare incentives for purchasers of medications to sign long-term contracts for the generic versions of shortage-prone medications.  

All of these options hold promise. One of the most important aspects about them is that they are not reactive but proactive, ensuring patients can receive the medications they need even if supply chains are facing issues.  

Get Affordable Access to Prescription Medications 

Simplefill is a full-service prescription assistance company that researches, qualifies, and maintains patients’ enrollment in all sources of assistance available to them.  

Apply today by calling 877-386-0206. A caring Simplefill representative will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your application and, if qualified, enroll you in the program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Strategies That States Can Adopt to Help Prevent Drug Shortages? 

States can take some steps without needing to rely on the above federal bills. Recently, some states have begun the process of strategically stockpiling the medications that residents need in case of shortages and emergencies.  

Other states are focusing on tracking inventory and letting providers and the public know when supplies are decreasing. In New York, there’s also a proposed database that would maintain an updated list of all medications facing shortages.  

Will Shortage Solutions Impact Drug Prices? 

Yes. Shortages cause the prices of medications to rise because there’s more demand. By increasing supply, costs can start coming down.  

Is it Possible to Supplement Supply by Importing Drugs? 

Yes, steps are being taken by the federal government to import critical medications that are facing shortages in the United States. Some states have also started focusing on this. Hawaii, for example, has a Medicaid program that allows for foreign-approved medications to be alternatives if there are medication shortages.  

There are some safety concerns regarding this strategy, but it is an option that more states are looking to implement.