Drugs

Active Drug Shortages Still Trending Up

The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) says the 227 active drug shortages in the second quarter of 2026 represent an increase for the third consecutive quarter but remain significantly lower than the all-time high of 323 shortages in the first quarter of 2024. The ASHP report says chemotherapy shortages remain a problem, with Ifex (ifosfamide) a particularly severe new shortage due to manufacturing quality problems at a key supplier.

Some 16% of active drug shortages are controlled substances, meaning that patients with chronic pain or ADHD may struggle to fill monthly prescriptions and health systems may struggle to obtain sufficient supplies needed for surgeries and procedures, the report says.

ASHP reports that just under half of all new shortages in 2026 were sole-source products.

Some 10% of the shortages were contrast agents used for potentially life-saving procedures such as CT scans and MRIs.

The report cautions that lower numbers of shortages do not necessarily translate into fewer patients affected since a single shortage can affect large numbers of patients.

“The workload required to manage shortages, including work to change pharmacy automation and electronic health records, adds to the challenges of pharmacy staff shortages,” ASHP concludes.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome