The FDA tracks shortages for a defined list of medically necessary drugs and marks a shortage when national supply cannot meet national demand. When ASHP counted a record 323 active shortages in early 2024, the FDA counted 113 ongoing shortages at the end of that same year. According to the FDA's report to Congress for calendar year 2024, the agency's drug and biologics centers "worked with manufacturers to successfully prevent 283 drug shortages," while 15 new shortages were identified that year, compared with a peak of 251 new shortages in 2011. Pharmacists count 223 active shortages, up for a second consecutive quarter and below the record of 323 set in early 2024. Ask whether it is a local or national shortage, whether another strength or formulation works, and check other pharmacies.