NewsMay 26 2023

National Cisplatin and Carboplatin Shortage

Learn more about the national shortage of Cisplatin and Carboplatin used to treat cancer, due to several factors including manufacturing delays. and UTMC is mitigating this situation and continuing to prioritize patient care, wellbeing, and safety.

Due to several factors including manufacturing delays, healthcare providers across the United States, including The University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) are facing a shortage of Cisplatin and Carboplatin. Our commitment remains to serving the medical needs of citizens of the East Tennessee region and provide comprehensive and focused care to the patients in our dedicated Cancer Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medical centers throughout the United States like ours are working diligently to develop alternative treatment plans for our patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and multiple state and national organizations, such as the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, are also working to lessen the shortage.

These medications are used to treat a variety of cancers including (but not limited to):

  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Head and Neck cancers
  • Lung cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Penile cancer
  • Testicular cancer

 

Alternative regimens with similar effectiveness and safety are being used when available. Drugs of the same class of medications are being interchanged if necessary and supported by clinical studies.

We are doing everything possible to minimize the impact to our patients. Our providers are reviewing potential alternative treatments for our patients affected. We have expanded our sources for purchasing cisplatin and carboplatin. Additionally, we have a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and hospital leadership working to responsibly manage the limited supply of these medications.

Physician offices will continue to follow the same pathways for insurance approval as required by your insurance company for these alternative regimens.

We encourage you to speak to your provider regarding any concerns. If you choose to seek treatment elsewhere, we support you in your choice. However, this is a nationwide shortage, and most healthcare providers are experiencing various degrees of impact with this medication shortage.

While we do not know when the shortage will be resolved, the FDA estimates the cisplatin and carboplatin shortage will resolve approximately sometime during Quarter 3 (July – September) and Quarter 4 (October – December) of 2023.

We encourage all existing patients to direct all questions or concerns to their physician.

Click here for more information from the American Cancer Society.