Twelve drugmakers are in short supply of the product, and most told the ASHP they cannot estimate a resupply date. Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Sagent Pharmaceuticals each said they expect a release date in May; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries said April; and Viatris said between mid-April and late-May.
The treatment is intended for breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and head and neck cancer, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Dacarbazine, used to treat some skin cancers, is also in shortage, according to the ASHP.
At least five other oncology medications are in shortage: bladder cancer drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin; cisplatin, which is intended for bladder cancer and has off-label uses for others; fluorouracil, or 5FU, a drug usually paired with other oncology treatments that has no available presentations; advanced prostate cancer drug Pluvicto (injectable lutetium vipivotide tetraxetan); and methotrexate, which is used to treat multiple cancers. The last four shortages are expected to ease this summer.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
