Market efficiency is precisely about public wellbeing. Concretely, what are you suggesting? In face of limited supply, there's only 2 choices: keep the prices l

Market efficiency is precisely about public wellbeing. Concretely, what are you suggesting? In face of limited supply, there's only 2 choices: keep the prices low or raise the prices. The former accelerates supply depletion; the latter helps maintain supply availability. You're asking for the government to come in and pull a third choice out of their sleeve, but I don't see such a choice. If you're the government, concretely, what would you do? EDIT: Now, if you suspect price gouging, that's different. wtfrmyinitials was referring to a genuine shortage, though.