"Scrambling for cancer drugs"

[WinkyDink]

Drug shortages have been on the rise in recent years, affecting everything from antibiotics to anesthesia drugs, for reasons that range from manufacturing problems to companies discontinuing a medication. But shortages are particularly harrowing with cancer drugs, when time is of the essence and substitutes aren’t always available.

More than a dozen cancer drugs are now in short supply, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, creating a situation that doctors at local hospitals say is unprecedented, and worsening. A drug used to treat testicular cancer is scarce; earlier this year, a leukemia drug was affected. And some of the drugs used to treat pediatric cancers, many of which are curable, are in short supply.

“To not have these drugs available is unconscionable; we literally cannot treat cancers we know are not just treatable but curable,’’ said Dr. Michael Link, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

According to the FDA, there were 178 drug shortages in 2010, three-quarters of which were sterile injectables, which include chemotherapy infusions. Already this year, there have been 180 drug shortages.
http://articles.boston.com/2011-08-17/lifestyle/29897068_1_drug-shortages-cancer-drugs-doxil
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O. M. G. WHEN will our leaders stop the madness???

[underpants]

1. End Benefits Caps and the drug companies will make less so *poof* the drugs stop being made

they likes their money and the drug makers are already eating 50% of donut hole.