US FDA Warns of Medical Supply Shortages Amid Iran War Concerns

The US FDA has warned that shortages of some medical supplies could last until the end of the year, raising concerns about the impact of the Iran War on petrochemical raw material supply.

Wed May 20 2026

Iran War and Medical Supply Chain

The Iran War is impacting global oil markets, leading to a shortage in petrochemical raw material supply. This has resulted in rising prices for plastic products, and single-use medical consumables, which are consumed daily, are particularly vulnerable due to the need for continuous procurement. The US FDA has added several medical consumables to its shortage list since the start of the Iran War, expressing concern.

Current Shortages and Causes

Immediately after the Iran War began on February 28, 2026, the FDA listed biopsy needles for tissue samples and angiography injector syringes as scarce items. In early May, neurosurgical cotton pads, sponges, and swabs were also added to the shortage list, with concerns that shortages could persist until the end of the year. The FDA requested medical institutions adjust surgery schedules and implement conservation measures. The primary cause of the current shortage is that Medline Industries, the main supplier, issued a full recall on March 13, 2026, after discovering excessively high endotoxin levels in its products.

*Source: TechNews 科技新報 (2026-05-20)*

Tags: #이란전쟁 #FDA #의료소모품 #공급망 #의료부족