Pfizer Plant to Remain Closed Until 2028 After Flooding
Flood damage at the Gujarat, India facility will extend chemotherapy drug shortages for several more years.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cancer
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A Pfizer manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India, will remain shuttered until 2028 due to severe flood damage. This long-term closure continues to strain the supply of several generic chemotherapy drugs throughout the United States.
Why it matters
The shutdown exacerbates ongoing medication access issues for patients undergoing treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, and various solid tumors. Facilities are currently relying on mitigation efforts to maintain patient care schedules amid these supply constraints.
As of the end of the third quarter of 2026, there were 225 active drug shortages recorded by the ASHP, including newly added products like cytarabine and irinotecan. Thirty-one cancer centers reported ongoing supply struggles.
The players
Pfizer
This global pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation is responsible for the manufacturing plant currently closed in Gujarat.
ASHP
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists monitors and reports on medication supply levels across the national healthcare system.
The details
The facility in Gujarat was forced into a long-term shutdown after sustaining significant flood damage. As supply chain disruptions persist, the federal government is currently working on a plan to shift the production of 86 critical drugs to the United States.
Timeline
July 2026: MedicalDaily reported 227 active drug shortages in the U.S.
September 2026: Cancer centers reported medication shortages in a national survey.
October 7, 2026: ASHP added cytarabine and bleomycin to its shortage list.
October 12, 2026: ASHP added irinotecan products to its shortage list.
2028: The flood-damaged Pfizer plant is currently scheduled to reopen.
Health Landscape
This facility shutdown highlights the fragility of international pharmaceutical manufacturing, reinforcing the necessity of the federal government's plan to move the production of 86 critical drugs to the U.S. This shift marks a departure from reliance on globalized generic production hubs.
Patients may experience adjustments to their chemotherapy treatment schedules as oncology centers navigate ongoing supply shortages. Health providers are currently using specific mitigation protocols to ensure patients can remain on their required therapy regimens.
The takeaway
Medical centers are actively managing limited drug supplies to ensure consistent care for patients facing cancer diagnoses. Individuals affected by these shortages should coordinate closely with their oncology teams to discuss alternative treatment scheduling or medication options.
Further reading
For more context on current treatment availability, visit the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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