Source: NY Times; American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Practice Report; American Hospital Association

It seems difficult to believe that life saving cancer drugs could be in such short supply that they are being rationed.  It is even harder to believe that this is occurring currently –in the United States!  According to recent information, 14 of the 34 generic cancer drugs are becoming scarce.  These are cancer drugs which are commonly prescribed to cure cancer in patients.  Because they are now generic (no longer under patent) these drugs are inexpensive but their short supply is leading to the need to purchase “brand-name” drugs which can cost 100x more.

How is this possible?  Money.  The generic (and proven) cancer drugs are no longer profitable to make for drug companies who are, instead, spending money on research and development of newer drugs -which may not be as effective as the drugs we already have!  Cancer drugs are purchased by medical oncologists who bill the costs to insurance companies and Medicare.  However, Amendments to Medicare (in 2003) limit price increases by drug companies so once a drug becomes generic after several years on the market (and the price is reduced by up to 90%) there is a disincentive to continue making the drug.

We recently mentioned that according to the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Practice Report, 2010 was the worst year to date for drug shortages at the nation’s hospitals.  211 drugs used in hospitals were in such short supply that pharmacists spent significant amounts of time finding alternatives.

The American Hospital Association’s 7/12/2011 Survey on Drug Shortages, 99.5% of hospitals reported 1 or more drug shortages in the last 6 months with 50% of those reporting 21 or more drug shortages. More alarming in the reports is that 82% of hospitals report that they delayed patient treatment as a result of drug shortages and more than 50% of hospitals did not provide the patient with the drug recommended by the physician.  The AHA surveyed 820 hospitals. 3 out of every 4 hospitals said they’ve rationed or otherwise restricted use of the drugs in short supply.

If this alarming trend continues, many patients will not receive or may be denied access to the best treatment for their cancers and drugs that have been proven to actually cure, if not significantly extend the lives of cancer patients, may be lost to our health care system.

Post:  Gayle R. Lewis, Esquire