Lifesaving Cancer Drugs Running Out
Shortage Affecting Patients In Boston
POSTED: 3:29 pm EDT August 17, 2011
UPDATED: 6:21 pm EDT August 17, 2011
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BOSTON -- Lifesaving cancer drugs are running out. It's been a nationwide problem for months, but now the shortages are affecting people in Boston."This is a life or death situation. I feel if we don't look into this with a microscope and find how we can fix the problem, the problem will do nothing but escalate," said Ernie Gates, president of Gates Healthcare Associates, a pharmaceutical and health care consulting firm.So far this year, the FDA has seen 180 drug shortages, up nearly 300 percent since 2005.One in nine are chemotherapy drugs.The reasons range from quality problems to fewer companies making them, but the impact means doctors have to scramble to find alternatives for their patients.
Current Drug Shortages
Drug Shortage Information
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