Below is a list of the key reasons these shortages occur, according to information provided by drugmakers to the University of Utah Drug Information Service.
1. About 30 percent of drug shortages are caused by manufacturing disruptions.
2. Demand outpacing supply accounts for 8 percent of shortages.
3. Ten percent of shortages occur because a manufacturer discontinued production of a drug.
4. In 2018, natural disasters accounted for 3 percent of shortages.
5. Raw material shortages resulted in about 1 percent of supply shortages.
6. A majority (51 percent) of shortages result from unknown reasons, according to the manufacturers.
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