shortagewatch

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Asia-Pacific · Source: MHLW (Ministry of Health

Medicine shortages in Japan

As of 2 Nov 2026, 1,359 products have a reported shortage in Japan, across 296 active ingredients.

Scope: Prescription products under limited shipment or supply suspension (delistings excluded); one row per product. Official list.

Products short1,359today
Per million people11.0population ≈ 123.4 m
Medicines296active ingredients
New in 30 days150reported start
Typical duration10 monthsmedian so far
No return date98%of products

When today's shortages began

50 started before Dec 2024
050100150200Dec: 15Jan ’25: 25Feb: 17FebMar: 15Apr: 27May: 27MayJun: 24Jul: 28Aug: 23AugSep: 57Oct: 52Nov: 35NovDec: 53Jan ’26: 38Feb: 37FebMar: 18Apr: 69May: 52MayJun: 83Jul: 64Aug: 85AugSep: 72Oct: 157Nov: 0Nov

Current shortages by the month they were reported to start. A tall recent bar means a new wave.

How long they have lasted

0125250375500< 1 mo: 150150< 1 mo1–3 mo: 1571571–3 mo3–6 mo: 2062063–6 mo6–12 mo: 2502506–12 mo1–2 yrs: 3293291–2 yrs2+ yrs: 2672672+ yrs

When products are expected back

01235Nov: 2Dec: 3DecJan ’27: 5Feb: 3FebMar: 4Apr: 4AprMay: 1Jun: 3JunJul: 0Aug: 0AugSep: 0Oct: 0Oct

1,329 products have no return date.

Why medicines are short

Increased demand446Other387Manufacturing problem260Active ingredient shortage131Quality problem or recall121Regulatory or licensing14

Which therapeutic classes

Cardiovascular system186Nervous system122Anti-infectives107Sensory organs104Digestive tract and metabolism104Respiratory system59Genito-urinary system and sex hormones54Dermatologicals51Blood37Various35Cancer and immune system34Musculoskeletal system15Systemic hormones9Antiparasitics1

Companies with the most products short

Sawai148 4887Towa (Pensa)121 4553Nichi-Iko77Kyowa Pharmaceutical42Nipro41 8086Viatris41 VTRSTatsumi Kagaku38Takata Pharmaceutical33Fuji Pharma26 4554Choseido26Honzo Pharmaceutical25Nihon Generic25

Compared with other countries

Czechia100.2Sweden90.4Austria72.2Ireland70.2Belgium57.3Norway55.2Canada46.0Italy34.3Australia19.2Spain18.6Switzerland15.7New Zealand14.0Japan11.0Germany10.3United States4.7France3.0

Registers differ in scope, so treat this as a rough comparison.

Typical duration vs other countries

United States45 moCanada26 moFrance12 moGermany11 moJapan10 moItaly8 moSweden6 moAustria5 moSwitzerland5 moAustralia5 moNew Zealand5 moSpain4 moCzechia4 moNorway4 moBelgium3 moIreland3 mo

All 296 medicines short in Japan

MedicineProductsEarliest startLatest expected backMain reasonCountries
Acetylsalicylic Acid126 Jun 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Aciclovir46 Mar 2024not givenOther
Adapalene218 Dec 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Albumin Tannate122 May 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Alclometasone216 May 2025not givenActive ingredient shortage
Alendronic Acid311 Mar 2024not givenOther
Alfacalcidol311 Mar 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Allopurinol19 Sep 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Alprazolam28 Oct 2025not givenQuality problem or recall
Ambroxol110 Apr 2026not givenIncreased demand
Amiodarone122 Sep 2025not givenOther
Amitriptyline131 Aug 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Amlodipine411 Dec 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Amorolfine11 Jun 2026not givenIncreased demand
Amoxicillin713 Mar 2024not givenIncreased demand
Aprindine217 Jan 2025not givenIncreased demand
Aripiprazole114 Feb 2025not givenIncreased demand
Ascorbic Acid617 Jan 2025not givenIncreased demand
Atenolol311 Mar 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Atomoxetine612 Nov 2024not givenOther
Atorvastatin and Amlodipine1211 Dec 2025not givenIncreased demand
Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe23 Jul 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Azelastine14 Mar 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Azithromycin415 Jul 2025not givenIncreased demand
Beclometasone217 Sep 2025not givenActive ingredient shortage
Bendamustine229 Feb 2024not givenOther
Benidipine122 Oct 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Benzathine Benzylpenicillin216 Mar 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Benzocaine118 Jun 2026not givenOther
Beraprost122 Oct 2026not givenIncreased demand
Betamethasone1111 Mar 2024not givenIncreased demand
Betamethasone14 Nov 2025not givenOther
Bevantolol321 Apr 2026not givenOther
Bezafibrate16 Feb 2025not givenRegulatory or licensing
Bifonazole35 Jan 2026not givenIncreased demand
Bimatoprost27 Aug 2025not givenOther
Biperiden130 Jun 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Bromazepam19 Oct 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Budesonide28 Sep 2025not givenActive ingredient shortage
Butenafine316 Jun 2026not givenIncreased demand
Calcium Levofolinate317 Jan 2025not givenIncreased demand
Camostat11 Jun 2026not givenOther
Candesartan1531 Oct 2024not givenOther
Candesartan and Amlodipine12 Apr 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Carbamazepine37 Mar 2024not givenIncreased demand
Carbamide66 Dec 2024not givenOther
Carbocisteine312 May 2023not givenActive ingredient shortage
Carboplatin37 May 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Carvedilol22 Sep 2025not givenOther
Cefaclor1012 May 20231 Mar 2027Increased demand
Cefalexin824 Nov 2023not givenOther
Cefazolin118 Aug 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Cefcapene32 Jul 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Cefdinir627 May 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Cefixime23 Jun 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Cefmetazole54 Sep 2024not givenIncreased demand
Cefoperazone and Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor214 Feb 2025not givenActive ingredient shortage
Cefotiam68 Sep 2025not givenOther
Cefroxadine122 Jan 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Ceftazidime211 Mar 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Ceftriaxone18 Jan 2025not givenQuality problem or recall
Celecoxib19 Jul 2026not givenOther
Cetirizine35 Mar 2024not givenOther
Chloramphenicol427 Aug 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Chlordiazepoxide34 Aug 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Chlorphenamine126 Aug 2026not givenOther
Choriogonadotropin Alfa229 Feb 2024not givenIncreased demand
Cibenzoline47 Apr 2026not givenIncreased demand
Cilnidipine420 May 2024not givenIncreased demand
Cilostazol313 Mar 2026not givenOther
Cimetidine64 Jul 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Cinacalcet321 Nov 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Ciprofloxacin41 Oct 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Clarithromycin112 May 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Clemastine25 Jan 2024not givenIncreased demand
Clindamycin419 Dec 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Clonazepam229 Oct 2026not givenOther
Clonidine212 Mar 2024not givenOther
Clopidogrel121 Oct 2026not givenOther
Clotrimazole15 Jan 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Colestyramine11 Sep 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Cromoglicic Acid212 Sep 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Cyanocobalamin422 Apr 2025not givenIncreased demand
Cyclophosphamide19 Sep 20261 Jan 2027Increased demand
Dalteparin29 Mar 2026not givenOther
Deferasirox616 Jul 2026not givenIncreased demand
Denosumab12 Sep 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Dexamethasone622 Sep 2025not givenIncreased demand
Dexpanthenol311 Jun 2025not givenIncreased demand
Diclofenac78 Jun 2026not givenOther
Dienogest22 Apr 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Digoxin119 Aug 2026not givenOther
Dilazep131 Aug 2026not givenOther
Diltiazem217 Oct 2024not givenIncreased demand
Dimemorfan115 Jan 2026not givenOther
Dimeticone115 Apr 2026not givenOther
Dinoprost131 Jul 2026not givenIncreased demand
Dinoprostone130 Jul 2026not givenIncreased demand
Dipyridamole411 Dec 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Disopyramide118 May 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Dobutamine31 Oct 2025not givenOther
Domperidone317 Feb 2026not givenIncreased demand
Doxazosin36 Feb 2025not givenOther
Duloxetine36 Sep 2023not givenQuality problem or recall
Dutasteride625 Jun 2025not givenIncreased demand
Eletriptan221 Jan 2026not givenIncreased demand
Enalapril17 Feb 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Entecavir12 Apr 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Eperisone312 Feb 2025not givenIncreased demand
Epinastine15 Jun 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Erythromycin122 Jan 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Estradiol124 Jun 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Eszopiclone22 Oct 20261 Jan 2027Other
Etanercept312 May 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Ethanol415 Jan 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Etizolam112 May 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Etodolac131 Aug 2026not givenOther
Etoposide24 Mar 2025not givenIncreased demand
Ezetimibe315 Sep 2026not givenIncreased demand
Famciclovir129 Oct 2026not givenIncreased demand
Famotidine148 Sep 2025not givenIncreased demand
Felbinac111 Mar 2025not givenOther
Fentanyl67 Mar 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Fexofenadine27 Aug 2026not givenOther
Finasteride11 Oct 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Flecainide826 Jun 2025not givenIncreased demand
Fluconazole39 May 2023not givenRegulatory or licensing
Formoterol and Mometasone49 Apr 2026not givenIncreased demand
Fosfomycin112 May 2023not givenQuality problem or recall
Furosemide110 Feb 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Gadobutrol123 Jul 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Galantamine16 Aug 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Ganciclovir124 Oct 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Gefitinib128 May 2026not givenOther
Gelatin Agents221 Jun 2022not givenQuality problem or recall
Gentamicin318 May 2026not givenIncreased demand
Glimepiride325 Jun 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Glucose45 Apr 2024not givenOther
Glutathione55 Nov 2024not givenOther
Golimumab126 Aug 202625 Nov 2026Other
Heparin910 Nov 2023not givenIncreased demand
Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin429 Feb 2024not givenRegulatory or licensing
Hyaluronic Acid722 May 2024not givenOther
Hydralazine121 Nov 2025not givenOther
Hydroxocobalamin17 Mar 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Ibuprofen111 Jan 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Ifenprodil21 Jun 2023not givenOther
Ifosfamide19 Sep 20261 Jan 2027Increased demand
Imatinib125 May 2026not givenOther
Imipramine128 Dec 2023not givenQuality problem or recall
Indometacin17 Jun 2023not givenOther
Insulin Aspart124 May 2024not givenOther
Insulin Glargine215 Oct 2026not givenIncreased demand
Insulin Lispro226 Jan 2026not givenIncreased demand
Iodoform118 Jun 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Iohexol143 Apr 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Irbesartan330 Apr 2026not givenOther
Irbesartan and Amlodipine822 Jan 2026not givenIncreased demand
Isoniazid122 Jan 2026not givenOther
Isopropanol215 Jan 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Isosorbide Dinitrate109 Dec 2025not givenIncreased demand
Isoxsuprine119 Sep 2025not givenOther
Itopride122 Jan 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Itraconazole111 Jul 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Ketoconazole728 Nov 2024not givenIncreased demand
Ketoprofen113 Nov 2024not givenOther
Lactulose217 Apr 2025not givenActive ingredient shortage
Lafutidine130 Oct 20261 Mar 2027Other
Lamotrigine16 Aug 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Lansoprazole69 Oct 2024not givenOther
Lapatinib115 Sep 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Letrozole210 Jun 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Levetiracetam26 Jun 2025not givenOther
Levocetirizine26 Mar 2026not givenOther
Levofloxacin46 Aug 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Levomepromazine57 Feb 20241 Mar 2027Other
Lidocaine147 Feb 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Lisinopril223 Oct 2026not givenIncreased demand
Loratadine122 Oct 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Losartan121 Aug 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Luliconazole310 Feb 2026not givenIncreased demand
Manidipine231 Aug 2026not givenOther
Maprotiline41 Jun 20261 Feb 2027Active ingredient shortage
Mecasermin14 Mar 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Mecobalamin216 Oct 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Mefenamic Acid13 Aug 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Memantine77 Feb 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Mepivacaine421 Nov 2025not givenIncreased demand
Meropenem128 May 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Mesalazine1112 May 2023not givenOther
Metamfetamine122 Oct 2026not givenOther
Metformin822 Sep 2025not givenOther
Methotrexate51 Aug 2021not givenManufacturing problem
Methylphenidate319 Sep 2025not givenOther
Methylprednisolone212 Jun 2025not givenIncreased demand
Metoclopramide411 Sep 2025not givenOther
Mexiletine411 Sep 2025not givenIncreased demand
Mianserin12 Aug 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Midazolam45 Jan 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Miglitol321 Aug 2025not givenIncreased demand
Minocycline210 Apr 2026not givenIncreased demand
Mirtazapine57 Feb 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Montelukast189 Jul 2024not givenIncreased demand
Nadifloxacin26 Dec 2024not givenOther
Nicorandil128 May 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Nifedipine13 Apr 2023not givenQuality problem or recall
Nimustine29 Jan 2025not givenIncreased demand
Nitrazepam318 Feb 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Norethisterone and Ethinylestradiol11 Oct 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Octreotide21 Sep 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Olmesartan Medoxomil1630 May 2025not givenIncreased demand
Olopatadine317 Jan 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Omeprazole223 Apr 2026not givenActive ingredient shortage
Ondansetron17 Mar 2024not givenOther
Oxiconazole15 Oct 2026not givenIncreased demand
Oxybutynin315 Jul 2026not givenOther
Paroxetine120 Aug 2026not givenIncreased demand
Pegfilgrastim28 Apr 2024not givenIncreased demand
Phenobarbital131 Jul 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Pioglitazone37 May 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Piperacillin and Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor27 Apr 2026not givenOther
Pitavastatin45 Feb 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Polycarbophil Calcium227 Mar 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Potassium Canrenoate225 Apr 2025not givenQuality problem or recall
Potassium Chloride38 Mar 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Pramipexole46 Mar 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Prednisolone118 Jun 2024not givenOther
Pregabalin314 Feb 2025not givenIncreased demand
Probucol225 May 2026not givenOther
Procainamide416 Apr 2025not givenOther
Promethazine16 Aug 2026not givenOther
Propantheline14 Sep 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Propiverine48 Jun 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Pyridostigmine11 Apr 2024not givenManufacturing problem
Pyridoxine (Vit B6)112 Sep 2025not givenIncreased demand
Quazepam211 Mar 2024not givenQuality problem or recall
Rabeprazole916 Apr 2026not givenIncreased demand
Raloxifene122 Nov 2024not givenIncreased demand
Ranimustine23 Aug 2026not givenOther
Ribavirin12 Mar 2026not givenOther
Riboflavin428 Oct 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Rifabutin19 Sep 20261 Jun 2027Increased demand
Risperidone510 Nov 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Rivaroxaban25 Aug 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Ropinirole122 Oct 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Rosuvastatin1229 Oct 20241 Jan 2027Other
Roxatidine111 Jun 2026not givenIncreased demand
Roxithromycin222 Jan 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Senega29 Jan 2024not givenOther
Sertraline911 Dec 2025not givenQuality problem or recall
Sevoflurane115 Jul 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Silodosin39 Jul 2026not givenOther
Simvastatin116 Apr 2026not givenIncreased demand
Sodium Benzoate114 Oct 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Sodium Bicarbonate726 Jun 2026not givenIncreased demand
Sodium Hypochlorite16 Apr 20261 Apr 2027Active ingredient shortage
Sodium fluoride (18f)14 Sep 20261 May 2027Active ingredient shortage
Sulconazole15 Oct 2026not givenIncreased demand
Sulfasalazine222 Jan 2025not givenOther
Sultamicillin231 May 2023not givenIncreased demand
Sultopride47 Feb 2024not givenOther
Sumatriptan119 Oct 2026not givenOther
Tacrolimus223 Jul 2026not givenIncreased demand
Tadalafil330 Apr 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Tamsulosin1117 Dec 2024not givenIncreased demand
Teicoplanin37 Sep 2026not givenIncreased demand
Telmisartan625 Nov 2025not givenOther
Telmisartan and Amlodipine1414 May 2025not givenIncreased demand
Terbinafine88 Jul 202528 Nov 2026Increased demand
Testosterone429 Feb 2024not givenIncreased demand
Theophylline1412 May 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Thiamine (Vit B1)623 Jun 2025not givenIncreased demand
Tizanidine115 Jul 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Tocilizumab319 Jun 2026not givenIncreased demand
Tocopherol (Vit E)216 Apr 2025not givenIncreased demand
Tramadol and Paracetamol710 Feb 2025not givenIncreased demand
Tranexamic Acid317 Dec 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Triamcinolone317 Apr 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Triazolam119 Aug 2025not givenOther
Trimebutine23 Apr 2023not givenManufacturing problem
Ubidecarenone130 Apr 2026not givenOther
Urokinase21 Mar 2024not givenActive ingredient shortage
Valaciclovir820 May 2026not givenIncreased demand
Valproic Acid113 Nov 2024not givenIncreased demand
Valsartan530 Jul 2026not givenIncreased demand
Valsartan and Amlodipine115 Oct 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Vancomycin16 Aug 2026not givenManufacturing problem
Vardenafil430 Apr 2025not givenOther
Verapamil113 May 2025not givenIncreased demand
Verteporfin12 Sep 2025not givenOther
Voriconazole1125 May 2026not givenIncreased demand
Zoledronic Acid16 Aug 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
Zolpidem11 Oct 2025not givenManufacturing problem
Zonisamide215 Oct 20261 Apr 2027Quality problem or recall
glyceryl trinitrate115 Oct 2026not givenQuality problem or recall
tosufloxacin216 Jul 2026not givenQuality problem or recall