US Cancer Centers Struggle with Shortage of Life-Saving Chemo Drugs

More than 90% of large cancer centers in the United States have reported a shortage of chemotherapy drugs, including carboplatin and cisplatin, according to a survey by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. While 64% of centers can still treat patients with carboplatin, only 40% have received any indication of when the drugs will be readily available. The shortage has forced oncologists and pharmacists to scramble for alternatives, and the FDA has announced plans to import cisplatin from China to boost supply.