After a major supplier of albuterol closed its facilities last month, a nationwide shortage of the asthma medication has been ongoing since last fall and experts fear it’s only expected to get worse.

Albuterol can be taken in several forms but it’s the aerosolized solution used in a nebulizer in hospitals and in homes used to treat breathing conditions.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration put albuterol on its drug shortage list in October. This shortage poses the greatest challenge for hospital settings where it is used most commonly but can also pose a big issue for those needing to use this medication at home.

FDA is working to address a shortage of a particular form of albuterol. The FDA has been working closely with manufacturers and others in the supply chain for months to understand, mitigate and prevent or reduce any related impacts.

Akorn, the sole manufacturer of the specific product in shortage, has stopped production. All other strengths and vial sizes are currently available to meet market demand at hospitals and beyond.

To help meet demand, FDA has reiterated that outsourcing facilities may compound the specific product that’s in shortage to help increase supply.

The FDA continues to explore all available regulatory levers to help assure supply — including exercising discretion for potential temporary importation by foreign suppliers.

Intermittent or reduced availability of certain drug products can occur for many reasons, including manufacturing and quality problems, delays and discontinuations.

These products are manufactured by private companies and the FDA cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug.

For more information on FDA’s work on drug shortages please click here.