Wednesday, February 15, 2012

This is not a drill!





 Today was the day.


I recently wrote about chemotherapy shortages.  They've been in the news more and more over the past 12 months.  But until today, at least in my practice, they were worries.

But now the drug in short supply is methotrexate.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children.  Cancer is the most common cause of death (other than trauma) in children.  Upwards of 80% of children with ALL are cured with modern treatment regimens.

But I don't know how to cure ALL without methotrexate.

Or osteosarcoma.

Or lymphoma.

There are several companies that supply methotrexate in the US, but all are experiencing production or distribution delays or suspensions.  The net result?  We had a meeting today to figure out if we have enough methotrexate to treat our current patients.  And, if we have a shortfall, to figure out who gets treated... and who doesn't.

The good news is we found a few vials we didn't know about yesterday, and for at least the next 2 weeks, all current patients can get treated on schedule.  But, if we don't get another shipment in 2 weeks, or if an adult-sized patient is diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma presents to the hospital tomorrow?  We won't have enough drug. 

And someone won't get treated.

I have already discussed the many reasons for drug shortages.  The list of drugs in short supply is mind-bogglingly long.  But we can work around a lack of Zofran.  We can find alternatives for Gentamicin.

But I can't cure ALL without methotrexate.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a huge concern, my son is in treatment for ALL as I type. Luckily for him, his treatments end in 8 weeks. Methotrexate is a major part of his remaining treatment plan, but it is not him I am worried about. It's the others, the ones who just recently were diagnosed, the ones who are only halfway through their treatment plan....what about them? Our children are our future and without this drug, our ALL kids may not have a future....

Elizabeth Munroz said...

Are TKI's at least helpful?

Erin G. said...

This is one of the saddest things I have heard in a long time. What is being done to help these children? Why hasn't this been on the news? I hope this shortage ends not soon, but right now.

Kathleen Blanchard RN said...

This is sad indeed. Erin G., it's been in the news a lot and parents are responding on the internet that they are heartbroken with worry..and it seems so are the doctors treating ALL kids.

Mary Sorens said...

There are so many people dealing with osteosarcoma who will be affected by this. How do we lobby the government to change this rule? There is no way that a drug company should LOSE money on a life-saving medication, even if it is generic. UGH.

Anonymous said...

What can be done? This is horrendous.

japple_164 said...

This is such a sad thing to hear about, but so good to know about. I find these things interesting to read about and it makes me what to help out in any way that I can. Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention. Cancer is always a hard thing to deal with, especially when you don't have the right Medicine.

Kathleen Ruddy, St. Baldrick's Foundation said...

Dr. David, thank you for such a moving and truthful article about what the drug shortage means to not only families but pediatric oncologists as well who fight for children’s lives every day. Although the crisis has been temporarily mitigated, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation hopes that this does not happen again – children with cancer and their families already suffer enough. They shouldn’t have to worry about running out of drugs that give their child the best chance for survival. Thank you for sharing your voice in this crisis and for the life-saving work that you do. You are a hero for kids with cancer.

canoehead said...

Can someone explain why another company doesn't pick up the slack, or if the raw materials are ahrd to get, increase the price to ensure sufficient supply? I apologize for my ignorance- just leave me a link and I'll be happy. Thanks.

Thanh Moc Huong said...

lắp đặt máy làm lạnh nước
kho lạnh
cho thuê máy lạnh
bán block máy lạnh
sửa kho lạnh công nghiệp
kho mát
cung cấp kho lạnh
kho lạnh công nghiệp
kho lạnh
block máy lạnh
kho đông
cung cấp block máy lạnh
sửa máy lạnh công nghiệp
sửa máy lạnh chiller
sửa kho lạnh
kho lạnh đà nẵng
máy làm lạnh nước
máy làm bia sệt
cho thue xe tai gia re
van chuyen hang gia re
kho lạnh
kho lạnh mini
băng chuyền kho lạnh
kho lạnh
cung cấp kho lạnh
tủ làm bia sệt
kho lạnh thủy sản
kho bảo quản nông sản
kho bảo quản thực phẩm
làm kho lạnh

Anonymous said...

Hi All,

Good articles

It's a great way to get a clean, permission-based list to which you can market. Doctors Email List is basically using emails to put across the services or using emails as a marketing tool to sell your product.
we have the most high-value; low-cost email and direct mailing lists available on the web today.

Benefits of B2B Marketing Leads
Pegasi Media Group

·Earning higher ROI through cost-effective email marketing
·Increasing website traffic
·Expand the scope of your email marketing campaigns
·Save money by reducing direct mail expenditures

(302) 803 5211
sales@pegasimediagroup.com

Unknown said...

drfredspirituraltemple@yahoo.com)) my dear readers around the globe, it is a great privilege to tell you about this great man who helped me over come the tragedy in my relationship, and how his herbal medicine help me too. My relationship became so complicated to a stage that I was scared of losing my wife to another, lasting long in bed was a problem and I knew deep down in my that my wife was not happy about it. Sometimes when I asked for sex the way she would act before the sex I noticed it was because I was not satisfying her, when she needed it more I hard already come and it was not the best. So I needed to find solution that was how I came in contact with DR FRED he really changed my sex life and ever since then life has been fun because my wife now love me more than she used to, all thanks to DR FRED for this great thing he did for me.. If you ever need help of any kind sickness like DIABETES.. HERPES.. you can visit DR FRED temple for solution ((drfredspirituraltemple@gmail.com)) or what's app +2348158839763

ELIAS said...

Kamagra Gold 100mg is a generic counterpart of V*agra that is known to treat* erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders in men. This product is manufactured by Ajanta Pharma Ltd.

ALLISON said...

Buy Kamagra Gold 100mg tablet is manufactured in india by Kamagra Gold 100 Side Effects Ajanta Pharmaceutical ltd. Kamagra Gold 100mg’s Sildenafil citrate which is leads to flowing blood into penile vein.

ErectileRX said...

fildena-25
france-viagra
fildena-fr

DR Jessica said...

Buy Greenstone-xanax online in USA and Canada without prescriptions
Hydrocodone painkillers online for sale,Best place to get Hydrocodone painkillers with and without prescriptions

dr ken said...

http://welshcorgifarm.online
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is moderately long and low, less heavily boned than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The breed combines a weather-resistant undercoat of medium length with a coarser outer coat of slightly longer length. The expression is intelligent and interested, foxy, but not sly.
http://welshcorgifarm.online

corgi puppies for saleblack corgi puppies for sale
Prescription painkillers are powerful drugs that interfere with nervous system’s transmission of the nerve signals we perceive as pain. Most painkillers also stimulate portion of the brain associated with pleasure.
http://medsolutionstore.com

buy morphine-sulphate online with and without prescriptions
best place to buy ambien-zolpidem online
best place to buy dexedrine online

Americas Pharmacy said...

Buy Adderall Online
Buy Roxicodone Online
Buy Hydrocodone Online
Buy Xanax Online
Buy Green Xanax Online

MATINA said...

I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
liver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their
treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.

Rednirus Mart said...

This was a useful post and I think it's fairly easy to see in the other reviews, so this post is well written and useful. Keep up the good work.

Third Party Medicine Manufacturer
Third Party Manufacturing Company

Harvey Specter said...

Thanks for the Awesome Post David. In terms of popularity, creatine is the most popular substance, believed to enhance muscle mass and provide athletes with intense bursts of strength. Creatine is believed to increase strength, increase lean muscle mass, and help muscles recover from exercise faster. As a result of this muscular boost, athletes may be able to attain bursts of speed and energy, especially during short periods of high-intensity activities like lifting weights or sprinting. No wonder The Best Creatine Powder in the market is in demand all the time.

Vee Remedies said...

Nice Article with such a great information. Keep up the spirit by posting unique and informative content. Looking forward to see more more from you.

Neuro Medicine Company
Ophthalmic PCD Pharma Franchise

RSM Enterprises said...

Buy Kamagra Polo from RSM Enterprises at market leading prices. We are enlisted among the reputed Manufacturers and Suppliers of Kamagra Polo from India.
Sildenafil 100mg
Contact : +91 92163-25377