Cisplatin Shortage Nearly Resolved; Supplies of Carboplatin, Methotrexate Increasing

The cisplatin shortage that has affected cancer centers and patients across the United States is nearly resolved, according to a statement from the Biden Administration.¹

The White House reported last week that the cisplatin supply has been restored to almost 100% of pre-shortage levels.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug shortage database, 3 companies had cisplatin available on allocation as of September 18.² Additional supplies of cisplatin are expected to be released this month and next month.

The shortage of cisplatin has occurred alongside prolonged shortages of several other cancer drugs, including methotrexate and carboplatin.³ In June, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) published survey results reporting that cisplatin was in short supply at 70% of included cancer centers, and carboplatin was in short supply at 93%.⁴

The FDA has worked to alleviate these shortages over the past several months.¹ In June, the FDA announced that it would work with Chinese drugmaker Qilu Pharmaceutical and Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex to temporarily import cisplatin.⁵ According to the FDA, distribution of this product has been completed.²

The FDA also worked with various drug manufacturers to increase production of cisplatin, carboplatin, and methotrexate.¹ According to the FDA database, several companies have methotrexate and carboplatin available now, and additional supplies of both drugs are expected this month and next month.²

“The Administration will continue to work through the FDA, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies to address and prevent drug shortages and mitigate impacts to people facing a cancer diagnosis,” the White House said in its statement.¹

References

1. Strengthening the supply chain for cancer drugs. The White House. News release. Published September 12, 2023. Accessed September 20, 2023.

2. FDA drug shortages. US Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 20, 2023.

3. As cancer drug shortages increase, patients’ lives are at stake. Cancer Therapy Advisor. Published June 23, 2023. Accessed September 20, 2023.

4. Chemotherapy shortage affecting more than 90% of NCCN cancer centers surveyed. Cancer Therapy Advisor. Published June 7, 2023. Accessed September 20, 2023.

5. Chinese company may help ease US shortage of cisplatin. HealthDay via Cancer Therapy Advisor. Published June 7, 2023. Accessed September 20, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Cancer Therapy Advisor