In this episode of NSF’s Compliance Unlocked, we’re joined by David Waddington to tackle one of the most urgent challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry today: drug shortages.

Drug shortages are no longer isolated incidents—they’re a persistent, global issue affecting essential medicines and patient access. In this conversation, David breaks down why shortages are increasing, what the data is really telling us, and—most importantly—what manufacturers can realistically do to reduce risk and build more resilient supply chains.

Key topics covered in this episode:

Why drug shortages continue to make headlines across the UK, Europe, and globally

The real-world impact of geopolitical events, environmental disruption, cyberattacks, and pandemics

What UK data reveals about shortages:

Over 10,300 shortage reports since 2020

60% linked to manufacturing-related issues

How globalized and complex supply chains have increased vulnerability

The growing reliance on single-source suppliers for critical materials

Why supplier due diligence and ongoing oversight are no longer optional

The role of quality culture and cross-functional ownership—why supply chain risk isn’t just a logistics issue

How risk management, redundancy, and scenario planning can prevent patient impact

Why early communication with regulators is critical when shortages are anticipated

Navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape while maintaining supply continuity

David also shares a powerful real-world example of managing a major site disruption—and explains why testing “what if” scenarios before a crisis hits can make the difference between resilience and failure.

If you’re responsible for manufacturing, quality, supply chain, or regulatory strategy, this episode provides practical, experience-based insights to help protect patients, maintain compliance, and safeguard your supply chain.

NSF Life Sciences

Companies all over the world rely on NSF’s expert team of pharma biotech, medical device, IVD, and combination product experts to guide them through the maze of regulations and industry challenges. Our experts can tailor a solution to meet the specific needs of your company. Since 1944, NSF has helped companies deliver life-saving and life-changing medical products to their patients. Find out more on NSF.org

You can contact our life sciences team by emailing: [email protected]

or by visiting:

https://www.nsf.org/contact-us

Learn more about NSF’s Pharma & Biotech expertise:

https://www.nsf.org/life-sciences/pharma-biotech