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Oncology Drug Shortages: Impacts, Policy Reforms, and Advocacy Imperatives
Marissa Malta1, Matthew Christian, Amy B Cadwallader
1US Pharmacopeia, Global External Affairs, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD.
Cancer Journal (Sudbury, Mass.)
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Oncology drug shortages are critically impacting cancer patient care. This study analyzes supply chain issues and proposes policy reforms for sustainable pharmaceutical supply chain resilience.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Health Policy
Background:
- Oncology drug shortages have reached unprecedented levels.
- These shortages significantly impact cancer patient treatment, leading to rationing, delays, and suboptimal therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline systemic drivers of pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities causing drug shortages.
- To present data analyses of ongoing oncology drug shortages.
- To propose actionable policy reforms for patient advocacy and supply chain resilience.
Main Methods:
- Systemic analysis of supply chain vulnerabilities.
- Data analysis of current medicine supply chain shortages.
- Development of policy recommendations for pharmaceutical supply chain reform.
Main Results:
- Identified key systemic drivers contributing to oncology drug shortages.
- Analyzed current trends and patterns in medicine supply chain disruptions.
- Formulated policy recommendations to enhance pharmaceutical supply chain sustainability.
Conclusions:
- Addressing systemic vulnerabilities is crucial for mitigating oncology drug shortages.
- Policy reforms are necessary to ensure patient access to essential cancer treatments.
- Building a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain requires sustainable, long-term strategies.
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