Active U.S. drug shortages rose to 227 in the second quarter of 2026, the third consecutive quarterly increase, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Nearly half of new shortages this year involve products made by a single manufacturer, and the FDA’s database continues to reflect new discontinuations.
Here are eight recent drug shortages and discontinuations, according to the FDA database and ASHP:
- Irinotecan hydrochloride injection: ASHP listed 10 irinotecan hydrochloride injection products as affected Oct. 12 across three manufacturers. They include Pfizer’s Camptosar 2-milliliter, 5-milliliter and 15-milliliter vials, Pfizer’s generic 2-milliliter, 5-milliliter and 25-milliliter vials, Eugia US’ 2-milliliter and 15-milliliter vials and Sagent’s 2-milliliter and 5-milliliter vials. The shortage involves a chemotherapy used to treat certain cancers.
- 50% dextrose injection: ASHP added three 50% dextrose injection products to its shortage list Oct. 9. They are Amphastar’s 50-milliliter Luer-Jet syringe, Pfizer’s 50-milliliter Ansyr II Luer Lock syringe and Pfizer’s 50-milliliter vial.
- Felodipine extended-release tablets: Par Health discontinued manufacture of its 2.5-milligram and 5-milligram extended-release tablets of the blood pressure medication, according to an Oct. 7 FDA posting. The company also discontinued its 10-milligram film-coated extended-release tablets.
- Bleomycin sulfate injection: ASHP added four bleomycin sulfate injection products to its shortage list Oct. 7. They include Fresenius Kabi’s 30-unit vial, Hikma’s 15-unit vial and Pfizer’s 15-unit and 30-unit vials.
- Cytarabine injection: ASHP added four cytarabine injection products to its shortage list Oct. 7, all made by Pfizer. They include the 100 milligrams/milliliter 20-milliliter vial and the 20 milligrams/milliliter 5-milliliter, 25-milliliter multiple-dose and 50-milliliter vials.
- Fluocinonide ointment: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA discontinued manufacture of its 0.05% topical corticosteroid ointment Oct. 2.
- Dextroamphetamine transdermal system: ASHP added the ADHD patch to its shortage list Oct. 1. Noven Pharmaceuticals, which makes Xelstrym, said in a June 1 notice that a supply disruption driven by a shortage of the active pharmaceutical ingredient would affect pharmacies and patients starting in July, August and October, depending on dosage strength.
- Ivermectin tablets: Merck Sharp & Dohme will discontinue its Stromectol 3-milligram tablets Oct. 31, according to a Sept. 29 FDA posting.
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