European and US Drug Shortages: A Critical Analysis of Key Trends and Causes
Author(s)
Alexandra Watt, MSc.
Managing Analyst, GlobalData, London, United Kingdom.
Managing Analyst, GlobalData, London, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: This analysis aims to identify key patterns behind drug shortages across different markets. Aspects considered include drug type, percentage of shortages per market, and reasons behind the shortage.
METHODS: All available packs reported as “in shortage” in GlobalData’s Price Intelligence (POLI) database were reviewed. Ten markets were selected for evaluation (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and the US). Causes behind shortages in Denmark, France, Germany, and Belgium were collected as stated by the respective Ministry of Health.
RESULTS: Across the ten markets, the percentage of packs reporting shortages ranged between 1% and 15%. Most packs reporting shortages were concentrated to Norway (15%) and Slovenia (15%). Denmark (1%), Germany (2%), and the US (3%) reported the lowest proportion of shortages. Common reasons for a pack’s shortage in France were cited as either supply tension (63%) or delivery disposition (23%). In Belgium, shortage triggers included either a delay in production (26%) or commercial motives (17%). Similarly, problems in manufacturing accounted for most shortages in Germany (37%) and Denmark (25%). Denmark also reported having delivery difficulties causing 31% of shortages. Except for Norway, all markets reported more shortages for generics than for branded drugs, ranging between 49% (Denmark) and 76% (Italy). In Norway, however, most products reporting shortages were branded medicines (51%). Additionally, in nine of the 10 markets, the product types that were the most out of stock included antiepileptics, analgesics, and psycholeptics (ATC code: N).
CONCLUSIONS: Inflationary-driven pressure alongside high operating costs have played a part in these shortages, largely impacting generics. In Norway, branded medicines struggle more than generics, possibly a reflection of their lower prices compared to other Nordic markets and unfavorable exchange rate. Shortages are being frequently caused by production and logistic disruptions in the reported markets rather than a change in demand.
METHODS: All available packs reported as “in shortage” in GlobalData’s Price Intelligence (POLI) database were reviewed. Ten markets were selected for evaluation (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and the US). Causes behind shortages in Denmark, France, Germany, and Belgium were collected as stated by the respective Ministry of Health.
RESULTS: Across the ten markets, the percentage of packs reporting shortages ranged between 1% and 15%. Most packs reporting shortages were concentrated to Norway (15%) and Slovenia (15%). Denmark (1%), Germany (2%), and the US (3%) reported the lowest proportion of shortages. Common reasons for a pack’s shortage in France were cited as either supply tension (63%) or delivery disposition (23%). In Belgium, shortage triggers included either a delay in production (26%) or commercial motives (17%). Similarly, problems in manufacturing accounted for most shortages in Germany (37%) and Denmark (25%). Denmark also reported having delivery difficulties causing 31% of shortages. Except for Norway, all markets reported more shortages for generics than for branded drugs, ranging between 49% (Denmark) and 76% (Italy). In Norway, however, most products reporting shortages were branded medicines (51%). Additionally, in nine of the 10 markets, the product types that were the most out of stock included antiepileptics, analgesics, and psycholeptics (ATC code: N).
CONCLUSIONS: Inflationary-driven pressure alongside high operating costs have played a part in these shortages, largely impacting generics. In Norway, branded medicines struggle more than generics, possibly a reflection of their lower prices compared to other Nordic markets and unfavorable exchange rate. Shortages are being frequently caused by production and logistic disruptions in the reported markets rather than a change in demand.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HPR74
Topic
Health Policy & Regulatory
Topic Subcategory
Pricing Policy & Schemes, Reimbursement & Access Policy
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas