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Cancer Centers in US Face Ongoing Drug Shortages, Survey Shows
Confirmed
In Short: More than 626,000 people are expected to die from cancer in the US this year as cancer treatment centers continue to face a years-long shortage of life-saving drugs, according to a new survey.
More than 626,000 people are expected to die from cancer in the US this year, with treatment centers facing ongoing shortages of essential drugs, a new survey reveals. The Independent reports that 94 percent of centers noted a shortage of multi-use ifosfamide, 71 percent had a shortage of carboplatin, and 16 percent reported a shortage of cisplatin. Some 61 percent of the centers said they required mitigation strategies to keep patients on recommended doses, while 90 percent noted the need to obtain multiple authorizations from health insurance companies, which added to the work and potential delay in care for each patient.
The situation is disheartening, given that we remain in the same situation, including recurring or continued shortages of some drugs, despite years of raising the alarm," said Dr. Crystal Denlinger, CEO of the non-profit National Comprehensive Cancer Network. "The drugs treat some of the top-killing cancers, including testicular, bladder, uterine, ovarian, lung, and breast cancer.
More than 20 percent of centers are currently in shortage for five or more different medications, with the drugs also working to treat other cancer types. The non-profit has identified multiple solutions that could combat these shortages, including updating federal drug production policy to improve the stability of supply and incentivizing domestic drug manufacturing.
The Trump administration told in June that the Department of Health and Human Services was working to alleviate the shortages and considering temporarily allowing imports of medications from companies that do not typically send supplies to the U.S. The Independent has reached out to HHS for comment.
What's confirmed
- More than 626,000 people are expected to die from cancer in the US this year, with treatment centers facing ongoing shortages of essential drugs, a new survey reveals. The Independent reports that 94 percent of centers noted a shortage of multi-use ifosfamide, 71 percent had a shortage of carboplatin, and 16 percent reported a shortage of cisplatin. Some 61 percent of the centers said they required mitigation strategies to keep patients on recommended doses, while 90 percent noted the need to obtain multiple authorizations from health insurance companies, which added to the work and potential delay in care for each patient.
- The situation is disheartening, given that we remain in the same situation, including recurring or continued shortages of some drugs, despite years of raising the alarm," said Dr. Crystal Denlinger, CEO of the non-profit National Comprehensive Cancer Network. "The drugs treat some of the top-killing cancers, including testicular, bladder, uterine, ovarian, lung, and breast cancer.
- More than 20 percent of centers are currently in shortage for five or more different medications, with the drugs also working to treat other cancer types. The non-profit has identified multiple solutions that could combat these shortages, including updating federal drug production policy to improve the stability of supply and incentivizing domestic drug manufacturing.
- The Trump administration told in June that the Department of Health and Human Services was working to alleviate the shortages and considering temporarily allowing imports of medications from companies that do not typically send supplies to the U.S. The Independent has reached out to HHS for comment.
What's still developing
- While care centers have developed strategies for keeping patient care and clinical trials on track, the shortages takes time and attention from treatment and adds stress to an already burdened system, she noted.
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S., with the American Cancer Society projecting more than 626,000 deaths this year.
- Iranian news outlets have reported growing shortages of medicine for cancer and other serious illnesses amid a crisis in Iran’s pharmaceutical sector, as the United States leans on military pressure, sanctions and a naval blockade to squeeze Iranians.
- About 800 pharmaceutical products are currently in short supply nationwide, including 90 considered essential and life-saving, according to Hadi Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Iranian Pharmacists Association.