We have heard a lot about drug shortages lately, mostly as they relate to the shortage of medicines to treat ADHD.
It turns out that plenty of other medicines are in short supply too.
According to the FDA, there were at least 178 drug shortages in 2010, which is up from 61 drug shortages in 2005. And there were at least 220 drug shortages in 2011.
The number and types of drugs that are in short supply has made this issue grow way beyond having to call around to pharmacies and find your child's Ritalin or Adderall. Some of the drug shortages involve critical drugs to:
- treat cancer
- provide parenteral nutrition
- treat debilitating diseases or conditions
That doctors and hospitals will soon run out of a drug to treat children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a perfect example of how these drug shortages have become such a big problem. The drug, methotrexate, is "an important component of modern treatment for ALL as well as a number of other hematologic malignancies."
Fortunately, something is being done about the drug shortages. President Obama signed an Executive Order directing the FDA to "take steps that will help to prevent and reduce current and future disruptions in the supply of lifesaving medicines." The resulting Interim Final Rule from the FDA will work to ensure "that the FDA and the public receive adequate advance notice of shortages whenever possible," which will hopefully give them time to prevent a shortage.
The Department of Justice is also investigating to see if drug shortages have led to price gouging or stockpiling of important drugs.
Hopefully these steps will help to make sure that no patients miss out on any life-saving drugs.
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FDA Drug Shortages Information
