By:DengYue International Business Division

Drug shortages have become a global healthcare challenge, affecting not only China but also the United States, Europe, and many other regions worldwide. Despite strengthened monitoring systems and supply assurance programs across countries, shortages of commonly used medicines, emergency medications, oncology drugs, orphan drugs, and sterile injectable products continue to occur frequently.

Against this backdrop, DengYue Med, a professional international medical consulting organization, closely monitors global pharmaceutical supply trends and helps patients identify alternative treatment pathways and overseas healthcare resources in a timely manner.

According to data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 200–300 medications were reported to be in active shortage in the United States during 2026, with ASHP reporting approximately 223 active shortages. Multiple European countries have also reported shortages of oncology chemotherapy agents and antibiotics.

Vulnerabilities within the global pharmaceutical supply chain—including raw material dependency, concentrated manufacturing capacity, and logistical disruptions—remain the primary contributing factors.

Based on international monitoring data, this article reviews key medications receiving global attention during the first half of 2026 and explores cross-border alternatives and practical options available to patients.

Key Medications of Global Concern in the First Half of 2026

The following list is based on FDA drug shortage reports, ASHP shortage databases, the USP Drug Supply Chain Vulnerability List, and European shortage monitoring reports. These medications have experienced either active shortages or elevated supply risks across multiple regions. Drug shortages are typically regional and temporary in nature and do not necessarily indicate a complete global supply interruption.

Emergency, Critical Care, and Essential Hospital Medicines

(High vulnerability within the global supply chain)

● Epinephrine Injection / Atropine Injection: Used for emergency resuscitation, anaphylactic shock, and anesthesia support. Both have appeared on FDA and ASHP shortage lists.

● Norepinephrine Injection, Dopamine Injection, and Dobutamine Injection: Essential medications for shock management and cardiovascular support.

● Midazolam Injection, Dexmedetomidine Injection, and Rocuronium Injection: Commonly used for ICU sedation and neuromuscular blockade, with elevated supply risk.

● Dextrose Solutions, Sodium Chloride Injection, and Sterile Water for Injection

Critical intravenous fluids and electrolyte products with widespread healthcare system impact when shortages occur.

Oncology Medications

(Chemotherapy agents with broad clinical impact)

● Carboplatin Injection

Widely used for lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and other malignancies. Shortages have been reported in both China and the United States.

● Doxorubicin Injection (Adriamycin)

Commonly used for breast cancer, lymphoma, and various solid tumors.

● Bleomycin and Vincristine

Important therapies for lymphoma and leukemia.

● Cyclophosphamide and Ifosfamide

Reported shortages across several European countries, with supply concerns potentially extending through the end of 2026.

Other High-Risk Medications

● Lanreotide: Used for neuroendocrine tumors and related conditions.

● Certain Immunoglobulin Products and Injectable Antibiotics

Including agents such as vancomycin and metronidazole.

● ADHD Medications: Including mixed amphetamine salts, which continue to experience supply constraints in the United States.

● Various Orphan Drugs and Sterile Injectable Products.

Global Trend

Sterile injectable medicines account for the majority of reported shortages worldwide. Oncology drugs and critical care medications remain among the highest-risk categories.

According to the USP Drug Supply Chain Vulnerability List, approximately 30% of the 100 monitored vulnerable medicines are currently experiencing active shortages, while the remaining 70% exhibit significant structural supply chain vulnerabilities.

What Options Do Patients Have When Medications Are Unavailable?

A medication being unavailable locally does not necessarily mean it is unavailable globally.

The following approaches have been widely adopted in international clinical practice.

Option 1: Evaluate Therapeutic Alternatives

(Highest Priority)

Potential alternatives may include:

● Medications with the same mechanism of action

● Drugs within the same therapeutic class

● Products from different manufacturers

● Brand-name versus generic alternatives

Examples include:

● Using cisplatin or other platinum-based agents when carboplatin is unavailable

● Substituting epirubicin for doxorubicin when clinically appropriate

● Optimizing utilization strategies or concentrated formulations during IV fluid shortages

Treatment modifications should always be guided by physicians based on established clinical guidelines such as those issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

Case Example

Major U.S. cancer centers have successfully implemented alternative chemotherapy protocols during drug shortages, helping avoid treatment interruptions for the majority of patients. The European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) has similarly promoted substitution guidelines to mitigate the impact of shortages.

Option 2: Seek Supply Through Regional or International Channels

Patients may explore medication availability through:

● Other hospitals or pharmacy networks

● Alternative regions within the same country

● International sourcing pathways compliant with local regulations

Case Example

European patients have obtained shortage-related chemotherapy agents through EU coordination mechanisms involving other member states. In the United States, some patients have resolved local shortages through interstate referrals and healthcare network coordination.

Option 3: Obtain an International Second Medical Opinion

International specialist consultations may help patients:

● Reassess treatment strategies

● Review recommendations from international clinical guidelines

● Explore emerging therapies

● Identify clinical trial opportunities

This approach is particularly valuable for patients with cancer, rare diseases, and complex medical conditions.

Case Example

Numerous oncology patients worldwide have transitioned to targeted therapies or immunotherapies following international expert consultations, helping overcome treatment challenges associated with chemotherapy shortages and potentially improving clinical outcomes.

Option 4: Explore Innovative Therapies Approved Overseas

Certain medications may already be approved by regulatory agencies such as:

● The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

● The European Medicines Agency (EMA)

● Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)

while remaining unavailable in the patient's home country.

Patients may consult DengYue Med to better understand compliant pathways for accessing information regarding overseas treatment options.

Case Example

Patients with rare diseases have successfully coordinated access to newly approved therapies abroad through international medical service providers.

Option 5: Consider International Clinical Trials

Eligible patients may gain access to investigational therapies through international clinical trials, often at reduced or no medication cost.

Professional medical evaluation is essential to determine eligibility and suitability.

Case Example

Patients with advanced cancers have participated in global multicenter clinical trials, gaining access to innovative treatments that may otherwise be unavailable during periods of drug shortage.

Cancer and Complex Disease Patients: Global Planning Matters

Treatment continuity is critical.

Patients facing serious illnesses should consider proactively establishing:

● Access to international medical experts

● Medical record translation and organization

● Referral and contingency plans

● Insurance and international coverage strategies

Advance planning may help reduce treatment disruptions when shortages occur.

Global Support Available Through DengYueMed

In response to ongoing global drug shortages, DengYue Medical specializes in international healthcare consulting and can assist patients with:

✓ Overseas hospital and specialist appointments

✓ International second medical opinions

✓ Medical record organization and professional translation

✓ Information on innovative therapies and pharmaceutical options abroad

✓ International clinical trial matching

✓ Overseas treatment coordination

✓ Global pharmaceutical resource consultation

Conclusion

Global drug shortages represent a systemic supply chain challenge, but they do not mean the end of a patient's treatment journey.

Whether through therapeutic alternatives, cross-border healthcare resources, international expert consultations, or innovative treatment options abroad, patients often have more opportunities available than they realize.

The key is to act early, obtain professional guidance, and develop an individualized treatment strategy based on one's specific medical circumstances.

If you are seeking overseas specialists, international second opinions, or innovative treatment resources, DengYueMed is here to help.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is based on publicly available data from authoritative sources including the FDA, ASHP, USP, EMA, and other recognized healthcare organizations. Drug availability and shortage status may change over time. Patients should always consult qualified healthcare professionals and refer to the latest official announcements when making treatment decisions.