Proof again, that the US needs a universal health care system
This suggests that a pure capitalistic health care system has serious handicaps. It is almost alwasy a matter of making enough money. Big pharma only is inyterested in big profit medications. Generics do not earn the hige profits.
The shortage evolved from a commonality among the drugs most affected: intravenous formulations of generic drugs that are produced in sterile environments, not very profitable to produce, and generally produced overseas.
"There are 200-300 of these drugs, but a few of them, like carboplatin, are used across many types of cancer," said Iyer. "The [profit] margins are small. With drugs produced overseas, there are supply-chain issues, which can also happen with drugs produced within the U.S. -- weather-related things, geopolitical issues. We see this over and over again."
The shortages have had an impact on treatment planning and scheduling. Of 29 centers that responded to questions on that issue, five reported treatment delays related to drug shortages -- often because of having to submit new prior authorization requests after switching drugs or protocols. Treatment modifications may require a new informed consent and rescheduling treatment at an infusion center, said Iyer.
"All of this puts a strain on the entire system," she said.
As the search for solutions continues, NCCN joined over a dozen other cancer organizations in the End Cancer Drug Shortages Coalition, which recently issued a consensus statement that identified three immediate priorities for addressing the shortages: increasing transparency across the drug supply chain; strengthening incentives for manufacturers to invest in high-quality, redundant supply systems; and stabilizing the generic drug market.
"We still have a long way to go. We need to get all of the stakeholders in the same room and have the necessary conversations," said Iyer.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/othercancers/122998?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=copy-link&utm_campaign=mpt-article-share
The shortage evolved from a commonality among the drugs most affected: intravenous formulations of generic drugs that are produced in sterile environments, not very profitable to produce, and generally produced overseas.
"There are 200-300 of these drugs, but a few of them, like carboplatin, are used across many types of cancer," said Iyer. "The [profit] margins are small. With drugs produced overseas, there are supply-chain issues, which can also happen with drugs produced within the U.S. -- weather-related things, geopolitical issues. We see this over and over again."
The shortages have had an impact on treatment planning and scheduling. Of 29 centers that responded to questions on that issue, five reported treatment delays related to drug shortages -- often because of having to submit new prior authorization requests after switching drugs or protocols. Treatment modifications may require a new informed consent and rescheduling treatment at an infusion center, said Iyer.
"All of this puts a strain on the entire system," she said.
As the search for solutions continues, NCCN joined over a dozen other cancer organizations in the End Cancer Drug Shortages Coalition, which recently issued a consensus statement that identified three immediate priorities for addressing the shortages: increasing transparency across the drug supply chain; strengthening incentives for manufacturers to invest in high-quality, redundant supply systems; and stabilizing the generic drug market.
"We still have a long way to go. We need to get all of the stakeholders in the same room and have the necessary conversations," said Iyer.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/othercancers/122998?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=copy-link&utm_campaign=mpt-article-share
80-89, M
