If there is a crucial need, markets will provide. Not always, and not in the case of critical nutrients needed to help premature babies. It turns out, America is facing a bizarre shortage of  medical grade basic nutrients such as phosphorus and zinc. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports neonatal intensive care units are scavanging to keep preemies alive, sometimes taking from adult patients elsewhere in the hospital.

The reasons are complicated — a lack of market incentives for companies to produce low-profit drugs, manufacturing issues, and delayed government action — but the results are clear, patients are suffering. What can be done?

Jay Mirtallo, professor of clinical pharmacy and director of the Masters in Health Systems Pharmacy (MSHSP) program at Ohio State University, joins Marketplace Morning Report host David Brancaccio to discuss.