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Deadly Drug Shortage Federal official states that the current drug shortage is a pressing public health problem. Drug shortages have been in the news for the last few months. I started noticing these types of articles late spring this year (2011). The combination of millions of people with cancers, infections and chronic illnesses and patents expiring, which makes manufacturing older drugs less profitable, and the closing of manufacturing plants has created an extreme shortage of drugs in the United States. ADDED: November 17, 2011 The shortage of oncology (cancer) drugs continues to worsen, according Oncology Drug Shortage Worsens; ‘Mayhem’ Cited. As of September 30, 2011, there was a shortage of 213 drugs. Since September, 22 new drugs have been added to the list. As explained in a New York Daily News article, "Hospitals face deadly drug shortages and costly alternatives", more than half of the 549 hospitals in a survey conducted by the Associated Press stated that they are purchasing 'gray market drugs', or drugs from possibly unreliable sources in an attempt to offset the shortage of drugs in the United States. These are the same sources that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been warning consumers against using for years. The drugs in short supply are mostly injectable drugs, since sterile facilities and the manufacturing process make these types of drugs less profitable than pills. These drugs are purchased at extremely high marke-ups, costing our medical system enormous amounts to cover the cost of drugs for treating their patients. The more costly drugs will eventually have an impact on insurance prices, meaning more money out of the pockets of all Americans for health care. "U.S. Drug Shortage Could Threaten U.S. Health System", an ABC News Health Article, explains the financial impact, as well as the increased loss of lives, due to the shortage of injectable chemotherapy and infectious disease drugs. They quote an un-named federal official as stating that the drug shortage is creating a "pressing public health problem." The shortage of drugs is now being blamed for at least 15 deaths. The New York Daily News article, linked to in the first paragraph, states that the drug shortage has been blamed for 15 deaths in the last 15 months. As much as 11% of the drugs in short supply are chemotherapy drugs used to treat testicular, breast, ovarian, lung and other cancers, according to this article by the American Cancer Society, "Cancer Drug Shortages Concern Doctors and Patients." The drug of drugs adds yet another layer of worry to the usual fears of cancer patients. As the shortage crisis continues to escalate, who will get the drugs that are available? Those who can afford the drugs at the inflated prices since many of the drugs, and their newer drug replacements, are not covered under under insurance plans. As explained in this USA Today article, "Column: Drug shortage: What can I do?" So now, in addition to fears of recovering from cancer, the question is who will be able to afford the treatment to recover from cancer? The FDA has a list of the drugs that are in short supply at this link: Current Drug Shortages By reducing your exposure to chemicals shown to increase the risk of developing cancers, such as synthetic fragrances which contain phthalates, bisphenol A in plastics and numerous other chemicals in cleaning and body care products, you can reduce the risk that you will develop cancer and reduce the impact the drug shortage may have on your life (or death). RESOURCES: Oncology Drug Shortage Worsens; ‘Mayhem’ Cited Hospitals face deadly drug shortages and costly alternatives U.S. Drug Shortage Could Threaten U.S. Health System Cancer Drug Shortages Concern Doctors and Patients Column: Drug shortage: What can I do? Current Drug Shortages |
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