The Impact of Cancer Drug Shortages on US Health System

Cancer care in the U.S. is facing a crisis due to severe shortages of critical drugs, including commonly used chemotherapy medications. The scarcity of these drugs is causing moral dilemmas for providers, who must prioritize patients and reduce doses to stretch supply. The market for generic intravenous drugs is particularly vulnerable to supply chain issues due to price-focused considerations and production consolidation. The continual race to lower prices leads to quality issues and manufacturers exiting the market, resulting in drug shortages. To address this crisis, a national protocol for drug shortages should be established, a comprehensive list of essential drugs should be maintained, and the FDA should increase supply chain transparency and identify alternative sources. Congress should pass legislation to incentivize manufacturers to improve quality and transparency and examine reimbursement policies to prevent future shortages.