WASHINGTON — Public health officials in the United States and other countries are monitoring supplies of several chemotherapy medicines amid concerns about potential shortages of key cancer treatments, according to regulators, industry groups and healthcare providers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it continues to work with manufacturers to prevent and mitigate drug shortages, including those involving medically necessary products. The agency maintains a public database of current and potential shortages and said manufacturers regularly provide information on supply disruptions, production delays and discontinuations. The FDA said shortages can occur for reasons including manufacturing issues, quality concerns and supply-chain disruptions.
“FDA takes great efforts, within its legal authority, to address and prevent drug shortages,” the agency said on its website, adding that it works with manufacturers “to help restore availability” of affected medicines.
Recent developments have drawn attention to several oncology drugs. Earlier this month, Indian authorities approved temporary price increases for the cancer medicines cisplatin and carboplatin after reports of supply shortages linked to rising raw-material costs. India’s National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority said the measure was intended to help ensure continued availability of the treatments.
Reuters reported on June 9 that hospitals and patients in India were experiencing shortages of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin and carboplatin. Industry representatives cited higher platinum prices and supply-chain pressures as factors affecting production. According to the report, the medicines are widely used in the treatment of several cancers.
In Europe, the European Medicines Agency said in March that cancer treatments containing ifosfamide supplied by Baxter International were expected to remain in short supply through at least the first quarter of 2027. The regulator attributed the shortage to a technical issue at a contract manufacturing facility.
Additional concern emerged this month after reports that the FDA had contacted pharmaceutical manufacturers in India regarding supplies of ifosfamide, a chemotherapy medicine used to treat several forms of cancer. Industry communications reviewed by media outlets indicated the agency was seeking potential suppliers capable of helping address an ongoing shortage in the United States. Details regarding the scale of the shortage remain unclear.
Healthcare providers and patient advocates have continued to monitor developments closely. The FDA said reports from hospitals, pharmacies and patients can help identify localized supply problems before they develop into broader shortages. The agency added that it remains in contact with manufacturers and other stakeholders to assess supply conditions and support availability of critical medicines.
As of Friday, regulators in multiple regions said monitoring efforts were continuing. No new nationwide restrictions on the use of chemotherapy drugs had been announced, while officials and manufacturers continued to evaluate supply levels and production capacity.
