Oncologists across the United States warn that ongoing chemotherapy shortages are endangering the delivery of standard cancer care.
Key drugs hit by shortage
Supplies of several generic agents—carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin and ifosfamide—have become critically low, forcing clinics to seek substitutes or stretch existing inventories.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that virtually all injection formulations of ifosfamide were listed as unavailable in mid‑July, and the agency projects the shortage to persist until at least October 2026. The FDA drug shortage database confirms the prolonged gap.
Supply‑chain analysts cite a mix of shipping delays, manufacturing hiccups and corporate decisions that make producing low‑priced drugs financially unattractive. The result is a cascade of workarounds that strain both staff and patients.
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“To be in short supply in a country such as ours is really, really difficult to describe to the patients,” Gury Doshi, MD told the outlet.
Oncologists adapt and warn of long‑term risks
Clinics are prioritizing the limited stock for patients receiving treatment with curative intent, according to the oncologist. When alternatives exist, physicians shift to those; when they do not, doses may be reduced to the lower end of recommended ranges or patients with the same diagnosis are batched to share a single vial.
These adjustments echo patterns seen during the 2023 shortage of platinum agents, when many centers reported similar rationing. The recurring nature suggests that without systemic changes to pricing and incentives, shortages could become a chronic feature of oncology practice, eroding the reliability of standard regimens.
The specialist highlighted testicular cancer as a stark example. “It’s a curable disease. And testicular cancers are very sensitive to cisplatin. If I’m not able to get cisplatin, this is a problem.” The inability to secure the drug could turn a historically treatable condition into a life‑threatening one.
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Michael Reff, RPh, MBA noted that the shortage consumes an “extremely disproportionate amount of time” at the practice level. He explained that time is critical in cancer diagnoses, and prolonged scarcity may worsen outcomes while raising anxiety among staff and patients alike.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology is mobilizing resources to address the crisis. Julie R. Gralow, MD, ASCO’s chief medical officer, said the association has issued clinical and ethical guidance, and its staff have met with lawmakers in Washington and state capitals.
Shortage threatens care.