There is a shortage of drugs in the United States and cancer drugs, among other classes of drugs, are reduced by as much as 28% and increasing significantly each year. Experts agree that the reasons for the shortages are many and complex and will take time to fix.
Other factors behind the shortage are fewer firms making older, sterile injectable drugs and fewer production lines. Raw materials are also limited due to inadequate manufacturing capacity leading to longer lead times. The technical complexity of manufacturing has rendered many drugs and products vulnerable to shortage. And, if one company has decreased production or discontinues manufacturing a drug it is difficult for others to pick up the slack and increase production quickly. Lastly, many manufacturing firms are discontinuing the older drugs in favor of producing newer and more profitable drugs.
Physicians and experts at the American Cancer Society, FDA and the American Society of Clinical Oncology are working with government agencies to seek a solution to the drug shortage problem as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, for cancer patients, there may be no substitute or ‘work-around’ drug available. The worst case scenario, and one that patients and physicians alike are fearful of, is being in the position of desperately needing a specific drug for cancer treatment that cannot be obtained.
As a result of the shortage, there have been reported delays in starting or continuing treatment, some drugs have been substituted for less effective ones, patients have transferred their care to other facilities to get a particular drug, and clinical trial studies have been interrupted leading to delayed research. Most concerning is a reported increase in “gray markets” for particular drugs that has led to price gouging, affecting oncologists and the patient alike.
There are multiple groups and agencies attempting to alleviate our nation’s drug shortage problem but they predict that it is not going to be solved soon. Until then, cancer patients and healthcare providers will continue to face challenges, and frustration, in how to obtain medications that are important to their treatment. Cancer patients concerned about the drugs used in their care should consult with their physician to determine the best possible routes for obtaining and receiving the drugs needed for their cancer treatment.
For a list of the cancer drugs currently in shortage, click here.
Comments