For some clinics across the nation, the supply of Taxol is running low. Doctors and patients are experiencing a shortage of the chemotherapy drug used to treat ovarian and breast cancer in women. While no official cause of the shortage has been released, many doctors and patients are placing the blame of corporate economics. Taxol is a generic drug, which equals a low profit margin. The logic behind this theory is, why produce a large amount of a drug when profits are low?
Of course, this is only a theory. Problems with quality control or other manufacturing issues could be the culprit. We simply don't know. ?What I am concerned about is the fact that there is no legislation that requires drug manufacturers to alert the FDA when supplies become short. When doctors' offices place an order for a drug that has a low supply, they are told that the drug in "backordered". So, what are patients and doctors to do? Taxol is a lifesaving drug for many, many women. Yes, it may be ?be substituted by another drug in some cases, but this is still unacceptable.
There is currently a bill before Congress that addresses medication shortages and required FDA notification by drug makers, the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act. You can track the bill's progress at govtrack.us.
Of course, this is only a theory. Problems with quality control or other manufacturing issues could be the culprit. We simply don't know. ?What I am concerned about is the fact that there is no legislation that requires drug manufacturers to alert the FDA when supplies become short. When doctors' offices place an order for a drug that has a low supply, they are told that the drug in "backordered". So, what are patients and doctors to do? Taxol is a lifesaving drug for many, many women. Yes, it may be ?be substituted by another drug in some cases, but this is still unacceptable.
There is currently a bill before Congress that addresses medication shortages and required FDA notification by drug makers, the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act. You can track the bill's progress at govtrack.us.
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