The platinum chemotherapy shortage is affecting cancer centers and patients across the United States, according to a survey from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).¹

Carboplatin is in short supply at 93% of cancer centers surveyed, and cisplatin is in short supply at 70% of centers. The survey was conducted during May 23-31, 2023, and encompassed 27 NCCN member institutions across the US.

All of the cancer centers surveyed said they were still able to treat patients who need cisplatin without any delays or claim denials.

However, only 64% of centers said they were able to give carboplatin to all patients who need it, and 20% of centers said they were able to continue giving carboplatin to some patients.

Sixteen percent of cancer centers said patients were experiencing treatment delays because the carboplatin shortage prompted modifications to treatment plans that required prior authorizations to be obtained again. None of the modified treatment plans were denied by payers, however.

Forty percent of cancer centers said they had heard from manufacturers or suppliers about when more carboplatin might be available. The time frames provided were early June, mid-June, early July, and September.

Of the cancer centers reporting shortages of cisplatin, 39% said they had heard from manufacturers or suppliers about when the drug will be available. The time frames provided were mid-June, late June, July, and September.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it is working with foreign companies to increase the US supply of cisplatin.² The FDA is working with Qilu Pharmaceutical, a Chinese company, to import cisplatin, and with Apotex, a Canadian company, to distribute the drug.

Though efforts are being made to increase the supply of these drugs, the situation is “unacceptable,” according to Robert W. Carlson, MD, chief executive officer of NCCN.

“We are hearing from oncologists and pharmacists across the country who have to scramble to find appropriate alternatives for treating their patients with cancer right now,” Dr Carlson said in a statement.³

“We were relieved by survey results that show patients are still able to get life-saving care, but it comes at a burden to our overtaxed medical facilities. We need to work together to improve the current situation and prevent it from happening again in the future.”

NCCN’s Policy and Advocacy department has issued a statement outlining steps that can be taken to help mitigate the impacts of the shortages.⁴ The statement includes recommendations for the federal government, the pharmaceutical industry, health care providers, and payers.

References

1. Carboplatin & cisplatin shortage survey results. NCCN Best Practices Committee. Published June 7, 2023. Accessed June 7, 2023.

2. Chinese company may help ease US shortage of cisplatin. HealthDay via Cancer Therapy Advisor. Published June 7, 2023. Accessed June 7, 2023.

3. NCCN releases statement addressing ongoing chemotherapy shortages; shares survey results finding more than 90% of cancer centers are impacted. NCCN. News release. Published June 7, 2023. Accessed June 7, 2023.

4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) statement on mitigating the impacts of anti-cancer drug shortages. NCCN. Published June 7, 2023. Accessed June 7, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Cancer Therapy Advisor