U.S. Pharmacopeia Finds Drug Shortages are Declining, but Duration of Shortages has Grown

In 2023, the United States experienced a severe chemotherapy shortage that significantly limited access to the chemotherapies used to treat gynecologic cancers. SGO members were some of the first physicians to sound the alarm that the shortages of carboplatin and cisplatin, among other chemotherapies, were impacting patient care. While that shortage has eased, SGO continues to monitor the supply of these essential chemotherapies and support policies that preserve appropriate patient access.

As such, SGO notes the release of the U.S. Pharmacopeia’s (USP) 2025 Annual Drug Shortages Report. The report, annually released in June, examines drug shortages from the previous year. This year’s report highlights that the number of drugs in shortage in 2025 declined, while the average duration of a year-end drug shortage has increased to five years. Within the top ten therapeutic categories, 75 drugs are currently in short supply, six of which are vital oncology medications. According to the FDA the following oncology drugs are experiencing shortages.

• Carboplatin (injection)
• Methotrexate (injection)
• Etoposide (injection)
• Vinblastine Sulfate (injection)
• Cisplatin (injection – which fluctuated heavily between active shortage, regional recovery, and intermittent supply throughout the year)
• Docetaxel (injection)

According to the report, 71 of those 75 critical drug shortages are chronic, multi-year disruptions, which heavily impact the small portfolio of the generic, sterile injectable chemotherapies like carboplatin and cisplatin used to treat gynecologic cancers.

The report identifies four main drivers of drug shortages: low prices paid to manufacturers, the complexity of production, geographic concentration of factories, and quality concerns. It also highlights that targeted actions, in both the public and private sector, as described in this USP position paper are needed to improve supply chain resilience.

SGO, in collaboration with CRD, will continue to advocate for legislative solutions that address this persistent and increasingly chronic challenge.