Oncology Nurses Navigate Care Challenges Amid Chemotherapy Shortage

Cancer centers across the United States are once again facing the difficult task of rationing life-saving treatments due to a burgeoning shortage of generic oncology drugs. According to recent data, hospital fill rates for cisplatin fell to 66% in June, while ifosfamide — critical for treating lymphoma and lung cancer — dropped to 37%.

Experts point to a fragile supply chain, razor-thin profit margins for generics, and spiked costs for raw materials like platinum as the primary drivers of this crisis.

Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, TCTCN, Senior Director of Community Based Ambulatory Oncology Nursing at UCLA Health and co-editor-in-chief of Oncology Nursing News, shared insights into how nursing leaders must respond to these systemic failures.

Proactive advocacy and equitable allocation

Desrosiers emphasized that managing a shortage requires more than just clinical adjustments; it requires a seat at the administrative table. "It really takes an advanced practice nurse to lobby, to partner, to be proactive, be at the table to really see who needs this drug," she said.

A central concern is ensuring that drug allocation protocols remain ethically equitable. Desrosiers highlighted the need to protect vulnerable populations, noting the importance of "making sure that it's not just the elite, but also those that are less fortunate that we know could be cured from these drugs." She suggested nurses collaborate with pharmacy teams to minimize waste through creative scheduling and dosing strategies, such as "bringing the patient in more frequently if needed so drugs aren't wasted."

Clinical safety and medication errors

When shortages force institutions to substitute brand-name biologics for biosimilars or alter dosing schedules, the risk of medication errors increases. Desrosiers advised nurses to double down on safety standards, particularly through rigorous EMR review and independent verification.

"It’s really that independent verification among two nurses to understand what the changes in those orders are so that they’re carried out appropriately," Desrosiers noted. She also clarified that nurses play a vital role in educating patients about biosimilars, explaining that they provide "curative intent" but allow the drug to be "allocated to a larger population" due to lower costs.

The presence of the nurse

The emotional toll of delayed treatments is significant for both patients and staff. Desrosiers believes the nurse’s role is to provide a "presence" during these uncertain times.

"I've found that it's in those quiet moments that they trust nurses," she explained, suggesting that nurses should take the time to "pull up a chair" and allow patients the space to share their anxieties.

To combat the burnout associated with delivering difficult news, Desrosiers advocates for structural support within clinics, such as staff support groups and open platforms for sharing feelings. "Hospitals really should have something in place giving nurses that platform to speak up, having staff meetings where they can openly share how they’re feeling," she said.

Pushing for systemic change

Ultimately, Desrosiers calls for collective action to address the recurring nature of these shortages. She urges nurses to use their voices through unions and professional organizations to lobby for more resilient pharmaceutical supply chains.

"The more that we could address this from different perspectives to be the voice of the patient, that's what makes the difference," she concluded.

Reference

Reed T. Cancer centers ration chemo amid new shortages. Axios. July 1, 2026. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.axios.com/2026/07/01/cancer-centers-ration-chemo