Updated: February 5, 2026

Lomustine Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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Is Lomustine Currently in an FDA Shortage?
The History: From CeeNU to the Gleostine Access Crisis
What Are the Real Access Problems Today?
What Patients Can Do Right Now
Looking Ahead: Will Access Improve?

Lomustine (Gleostine) has a complicated access history. Here's the 2026 update on availability, price, and what brain cancer and lymphoma patients need to know.

Lomustine — sold as Gleostine, formerly marketed as CeeNU — has had a troubled access history for over a decade. While a traditional FDA drug shortage was resolved in 2014, the drug continues to present serious access barriers for patients in 2026 due to its sole-source supply, historic price increases, and withdrawal from Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Here's everything patients need to know about the current situation.

Is Lomustine Currently in an FDA Shortage?

As of 2026, lomustine (Gleostine) is not on the FDA's active drug shortage list. The physical supply shortage was resolved in 2014 when NextSource Biotechnology relaunched the drug as Gleostine after Bristol-Myers Squibb discontinued production. The drug is being manufactured and is available through specialty pharmacies nationally.

However, not having an FDA shortage designation does not mean the drug is easy to access. The real barriers for lomustine patients in 2026 are financial and logistical, not purely a supply problem.

The History: From CeeNU to the Gleostine Access Crisis

1977: FDA approves lomustine for brain tumors and Hodgkin's lymphoma; marketed as CeeNU by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

2013: Bristol-Myers Squibb discontinues production of CeeNU, creating a shortage of this critical brain cancer drug.

2014: NextSource Biotechnology acquires manufacturing rights, relaunches as Gleostine, and resolves the official FDA shortage.

2014–2021: Price of lomustine increases approximately 1,400–1,900%, drawing Congressional inquiry. Senators demand answers in 2018 about the rapid price escalation.

2021: NextSource withdraws lomustine from Medicare Part D and the Medicaid rebate program — the first time any company had done this with an eligible drug. Half of glioblastoma patients are age 65+, directly affected by this decision.

2026: Generic lomustine is FDA-approved but market availability is limited. Brand-name Gleostine remains the primary source, still not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

What Are the Real Access Problems Today?

In 2026, the primary access barriers for lomustine patients are:

Cost: Brand-name Gleostine retails for $600–$2,950 per dose depending on strength. Even with GoodRx, generic lomustine costs $672 or more.

No Medicare/Medicaid coverage: Older patients and low-income patients face the highest out-of-pocket costs.

Limited retail pharmacy availability: Most retail pharmacies don't stock lomustine. Specialty pharmacies and cancer center pharmacies are the most reliable sources.

Sole-source risk: With only one manufacturer, any production disruption could create a new shortage rapidly.

What Patients Can Do Right Now

Work through your cancer center's pharmacy. Major cancer centers have established relationships with suppliers and typically stock lomustine.

Apply for patient assistance. Programs like Prescription Hope offer lomustine for approximately $70/month to qualifying patients.

Use prescription discount cards. GoodRx and SingleCare can meaningfully reduce costs for generic lomustine.

Use medfinder to find which pharmacies near you carry lomustine. medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf so you don't have to.

Looking Ahead: Will Access Improve?

Generic competition is the most likely path to improved access and lower prices for lomustine. The FDA has approved generic versions, and if additional manufacturers enter the market, competition could drive down prices and improve pharmacy availability. Policy changes that bring lomustine back into the Medicaid rebate program would also significantly help low-income and elderly patients.

For a deeper dive into why lomustine is hard to find, read our full explainer: Why Is Lomustine So Hard to Find?

Frequently Asked Questions

No, as of 2026 lomustine is not on the FDA's active drug shortage list. The physical supply shortage that occurred in 2013-2014 was resolved when NextSource Biotechnology relaunched the drug as Gleostine. However, access barriers due to high cost and limited Medicare/Medicaid coverage remain significant for many patients.

After Bristol-Myers Squibb discontinued CeeNU production in 2013, NextSource Biotechnology became the sole U.S. manufacturer of lomustine. With no market competition, the price rose approximately 1,400–1,900% over eight years. This drew Congressional scrutiny, with senators formally demanding explanations in 2018.

In early 2021, NextSource Biotechnology withdrew lomustine/Gleostine from the Medicare Part D program and the Medicaid drug rebate program. This was historically unprecedented — no company had previously withdrawn an eligible drug from Medicare Part D voluntarily. The decision particularly impacted glioblastoma patients, since the median age of diagnosis is 65.

The FDA has approved generic lomustine (Gleostine), but market availability remains limited as of 2026. If additional manufacturers enter the generic market, competition should improve both availability and pricing. Check with your pharmacist and use tools like GoodRx to find the best current pricing for generic lomustine near you.

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