Chemotherapy Drug Shortages to Last Until 2028
A closed manufacturing plant will limit the supply of common cancer medications for patients over the next several years.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cancer
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A flood-damaged Pfizer manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India, will remain closed until 2028. This long-term shutdown is extending existing supply shortages for several generic chemotherapy drugs in the United States.
Why it matters
The closure limits the availability of critical oncology medications, forcing cancer centers to implement mitigation strategies to maintain patient treatment schedules. This situation highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the global drug supply chain for essential medicines.
The ASHP reported 225 active drug shortages at the end of the third quarter of 2026, compared to a record high of 323 early in 2024. While 31 cancer centers are currently managing supply gaps, the long-term impact of the Gujarat plant closure on generic availability remains under investigation.
The players
Pfizer
A multinational pharmaceutical corporation that develops and manufactures a wide range of oncology therapies.
ASHP
A professional pharmacy organization that tracks and reports on medication supply chain stability in the U.S.
The details
The facility in Gujarat, India, produces generic chemotherapy treatments for leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and several solid tumors including colorectal, pancreatic, and testicular cancer. Production ceased following severe flood damage, and Pfizer does not expect cytarabine supply to normalize until the plant reopens in 2028. In the interim, cancer centers are utilizing internal mitigation protocols to prevent interruptions in patient chemotherapy regimens.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: ASHP added cytarabine and bleomycin to the shortage list.
October 12, 2026: ASHP added irinotecan products to the shortage list.
2028: The Pfizer manufacturing plant is scheduled to reopen.
Health Landscape
This facility closure underscores the vulnerability of the global pharmaceutical supply chain for essential oncology medications. It highlights the urgency behind the federal initiative to bring the manufacturing of 86 critical drugs back to the United States.
If you are currently undergoing chemotherapy, verify your treatment schedule with your oncologist to ensure your specific medications are available. Concerns about potential delays should be discussed directly with your care team, who can coordinate alternative dosing or supply sources.
The takeaway
Ongoing manufacturing disruptions continue to affect the availability of essential oncology drugs. Patients should proactively communicate with their healthcare providers about any potential changes to their treatment regimens.
Further reading
For more information on navigating treatment during supply challenges, visit our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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