The Growing Crisis of Prescription Drug Shortages in the US.

Drug shortages across the US have reached 'emergency' levels, with up to 300 drugs currently in shortage nationwide, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The crisis is leaving hospitals with little option but to ration front-line treatments and only offer them to the most severely ill patients. The shortage is affecting cancer, heart disease, and transplant patients, who are facing a lottery to get hold of lifesaving meds. The US drug market is vulnerable because of few domestic manufacturers while also needing to be heavily reliant on imports from other countries, particularly India and China. Plans being considered include offering tax incentives to produce generic drugs and setting up an agency to monitor drug supplies from overseas for the US.