Erin Fox has tracked drug shortages for more than 20 years, and she sees no easy solutions for what has become a record run. The University of Utah Drug Information Service says total active shortages hit an all-time high of 323 earlier this year. That's up 85% from a 10-year low of 174, at the end of 2017. There have been 48 new shortages recorded through March. Fox is associate chief pharmacy officer at University of Utah Health. She sees some positive news developing, thanks to growing interest from Congress in the subject.

Drugstore chains are still trying to find enough employees to put a stop to temporary pharmacy closures. More than a year ago, a rush of vaccines, virus tests and a busy flu season overwhelmed many drugstores. The stores have made improvements. Major chains now routinely close pharmacy counters for lunch. They're dangling signing bonuses and raising pay. They also are spreading out workloads. Experts say more customer patience and bigger changes may be needed. One says there isn't a pharmacist shortage. He says there's a shortage of pharmacists who want to work in high-stress environments.

More Americans are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine but they may still face a wait for their first shot even as supplies increase.