Chemo Drug Shortages

Over the past few weeks I've been reading a number of articles on chemotherapy drug shortages. Here is just one video and article on the topic.

On June 16, 2011 Paclitaxel the generic brand of Taxol was put on the American Society of Health System Pharmacists current shortage list(ASHP). These drugs are manufactured in various milligram dosages from 6mg too 300 mg. The reasons given in the bulletin were:

Manufacturing shortage - Teva

Increased demand - APP

No reason - Bedford

There is no direct substitution for paclitaxel.

On June 23,2011 ASHP added carboplatin solution for injection to the list.

The reason for the shortage was given as:

Manufacturing shortage- Sandoz, Teva, Hospira

Discontinued manufacturing in May 2011- Bedford

These two chemotherapy drugs are the standard of care for women initially diagnosed with ovarian cancer and for many who recur. Paclitaxel is also used by women diagnosed with breast cancer and off label for other cancers.

From the ASCO in ACTION website I learned:

June 23, 2011

Drug Shortages Legislation Introduced in the House
This week, Representatives Tom Rooney (R-FL) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced H.R. 2245, legislation that would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with improved capacity to prevent drug shortages. As an important first step in addressing the complex issue of drug shortages, this bill is consistent with recommendations from the November 2010 Drug Shortages Summit co-convened by ASCO. The proposed legislation includes provisions that would expand FDA authority to require manufacturer notification of shortages and market withdrawals, and enhance communication among health care providers and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain about the nature and expected duration of shortages. ASCO and the Summit co-conveners provided input on this legislation and have sent letters to the sponsors thanking them for taking action on this issue and in support of the legislation.

I am happy that some action is being taken by Congress to address this issue that effects cancer patients throughout the country.

Carboplatin and Paclitaxel are just two drugs on this list. There are other chemotherapy drugs listed as well. Will lives be lost due to this drug shortage? How much worse will the impact be on patients treated at small chemo clinics?How many patients will have their treatment delayed or switched? What about Taxol? Why is there not a shortage of the name brand?

Let us hope that manufacturing rates increase in the near future.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!