Maine health systems say they are directly affected by a nationwide shortage of certain cancer drugs used for chemotherapy. A recent survey by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network reported that 93 percent of cancer centers across the country were in short supply of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin. Seventy percent reported a similar deficiency of cisplatin. In a statement to Maine Total Coverage, MaineHealth is taking modest steps to save supply. “This means working with the patient and their care team at some point in the future to find an FDA-approved replacement drug if the prescribed drug is no longer available. We should not have taken this step until now,” Maine Health wrote. Patients are not harmed. “These shortages are real. They take resources to manage. They add stress to our patients and our providers,” Marden said. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it would work with a Chinese drugmaker to increase supply. “It’s important to make them aware of what they are and what they are. It can affect all of us across the country, and we really hope we can do something as a country,” Marden said. He said, “We’re partnering with other organizations outside of our system to make sure that no one in our region is left out.” Both systems acknowledge that prescription drug shortages are a constant challenge.
Maine health systems say they are directly affected by a nationwide shortage of certain cancer drugs used for chemotherapy.
A recent survey by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network reported that 93 percent of cancer centers across the country were in short supply of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin.
70 percent said there was a shortage of the same drug, cisplatin.
In a statement to Maine Total Coverage, MaineHealth is taking modest steps to save supply.
“This means working with the patient and their care team at some point in the future to find an FDA-approved replacement drug if the prescribed drug is no longer available. We should not have taken this step until now,” Maine Health wrote.
Brian Marden, Maine Health’s chief pharmacy officer, said no patients have been injured so far.
“These shortages are real. They take resources to manage. They add stress to our patients and providers,” Marden said.
On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration said it would work with a Chinese drugmaker to increase supply.
“It’s important that drug shortages are a national issue and that our communities understand what the challenges are and what the impacts are, and we can do something about it,” Marden said.
On the other hand, Northern Light Health said that they were able to support the patients by moving them to the required place.
In a statement, the system said, “We are working with other organizations outside of our system to ensure that no one in our region is excluded.”
Both systems acknowledge that prescription drug shortages are a constant challenge.
[ad_2]
Comments