This includes practicing without a doctor's supervision and prescribing narcotics such as morphine for pain.

VOA: standard.2010.05.14

The medications typically in short supply are generally low cost drugs such as morphine sulfate, zofran, compazine, reglan, ativan and valium.. The shortages often involve injectable drugs which are more technically difficult to manufacture than oral medications.

FORBES: Drug Shortages Compromise Emergency Medical Care