When the $4 Generic Disappears: Understanding Drug Shortages and How to Protect Your Access to Affordable Medication
Generic medications are supposed to be the affordable, reliable backbone of American healthcare—but supply chain disruptions, manufacturing failures, and regulatory bottlenecks mean even the most common drugs can vanish from pharmacy shelves without warning. Understanding why shortages happen and what steps you can take before a gap in supply becomes a gap in your treatment is essential for every patient managing a chronic condition.