Drug product discontinuations increased by 60% from 2024 to 2025, according to a new report from United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Discontinued products or products that are likely to be discontinued place a strain on the supply chain, as they are often priced very low before leaving the market.
In its latest Annual Drug Shortages Report, USP highlights that drug shortages are lasting longer, averaging more than five years. Of the 75 active shortages reported at the end of 2025, four were first identified in 2025. USP notes that geographic concentration, manufacturing complexities, low prices, and quality concerns are the main factors behind drug shortages.