Pharmalittle: Drug shortages rise, GSK cough medicine trials fail

And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is rather modest. If the smoky skies ever clear, we will promenade with the official mascots. Regardless, we intend to escort Mrs. Pharmalot to a fancy bistro and watch some footie on the telly. We also hope to hold another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? This is a wonderful time to enjoy the great outdoors — surfing and crabbing come to mind. There’s also clubbing and pubbing if you prefer cityscapes. Or simply curling up with a good book is a beneficial alternative. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …

The number of active medication shortages in the U.S. rose to 227 in the second quarter of 2026, continuing the upward trend since 214 in the third quarter of 2025, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Just under half, or 48%, of all new shortages this year are sole-source products, or those made by a single manufacturer, 16% of active shortages are controlled substances, and 10% of all new shortages in 2026 are contrast agents used for potentially life-saving procedures, such as CT scans and MRIs.

Three years after buying Bellus Health and its chronic cough candidate camlipixant for around $2 billion, GSK is abandoning the program, Pharmaphorum points out. Data from a pair of Phase 3 trials in adults with refractory chronic cough found “limited efficacy demonstrated is unlikely to transform patient care” and GSK will no longer develop the drug for that indication. Camlipixant is in the P2X3 antagonist class, which has seen other drug candidates fall by the wayside. The results are a setback as GSK speeds ​development of new medicines and targets new assets to strengthen its ​late-stage pipeline and manage losses from patent expirations expected from 2028 onwards.