America’s cancer treatment centres are continuing to face a years-long cancer drug shortage with implications for patient care, a new survey of more than 30 academic facilities reveals.
All of the centres included in the survey report experiencing a shortage for at least one anti-cancer therapy and more than 20% of centres are currently in shortage for five or more different medications.
The drugs treat some of the top-killing cancers, including testicular, bladder, uterine, ovarian, lung and breast cancer.
"It is disheartening that we remain in the same situation, including recurring or continued shortages of some drugs, despite years of raising the alarm," Dr. Crystal Denlinger, CEO of the non-profit National Comprehensive Cancer Network, said in a statement.
While care centers have developed strategies for keeping patient care and clinical trials on track, the shortages takes time and attention from treatment and adds stress to an already burdened system, she noted.
Some of the drugs most affected include ovarian cancer-fighting carboplatin, lung cancer-treating ifosfamide and bladder cancer-targeting cisplatin - though the drugs also work to treat other cancer types.
The Trump administration told The New York Times in June that the Department of Health and Human Services was working to alleviate the shortages and considering temporarily allowing imports of medications from companies that do not typically send supplies to the U.S.
Source: The Independent, 11 September 2026
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