The Continuing Crisis: Drug Shortages.

It seems as though each day brings a new announcement of a shortage of another drug. Indeed, we are closing in on a record number of drugs declared to be in short supply. The situation is more than inconvenient. Increasing numbers of patients are unable to obtain lifesaving medications. It seems odd that an advanced economy should struggle with ensuring an adequate supply of a relatively common product like normal saline for irrigation, but normal saline continues to hold its place among the US Food and Drug Administration's drug shortage list. Can we get to the bottom of this?