Another article about cancer treatment shortages and negotiations by the FDA to source these from China

From here: h/t David

Cisplatin, carboplatin shortage prompts rationing of lifesaving drugs—patients will die - The Cancer Letter

Please read the full article, here are a few excerpts.

“Thousands of cancer patients across the U.S. are getting bewildering news from their oncologists:”

“Proven curative regimens containing platinum-based drugs—cisplatin and carboplatin—have become largely unavailable because of a nationwide drug shortage.

The institutions that have some supplies of cisplatin and carboplatin are setting up algorithms for rationing their dwindling stocks, which usually means giving top priority to patients treated with curative intent and denying standard-of-care treatment to patients who cannot be cured but who can still benefit from these drugs.”

Oh dear, triage protocols. I wonder if the shortage is due to a significant increase in demand or a reduction in supply? And, of course, whether this increased demand for generic cancer treatments is related to the emergence of “turbo cancers”.

We will need to keep a close eye on cancer statistics – assuming they are accurate and timely.

“The shortage of platinum drugs affects an unprecedented number of patients, said Julie R. Gralow, chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.”

“The FDA approval for these drugs is in ovarian, testicular, and bladder cancer. And so, if you take where there is actually an approved label, and you look at that and you take into account that testicular is only the advanced or metastatic that are getting platinum agents, it’s at least 100,000,” Gralow said.”

So that’s at least 100,000 Americans under an approved label, but..

“[When] you add on top of where there’s a label, you’ve got cervical cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, head-and-neck cancers, for example ..it’s somewhere between 100,000 and 500,000 of Americans each year would be diagnosed or have a cancer that this would be relevant to. That’s a lot of patients.”

Here is a link to updates on drug shortages.

Drug Shortage Updates | ASCO

It has this from a few days ago.

“June 2, 2023, Cisplatin Availability Update: The FDA has worked with Qilu Pharmaceuticals and Apotex Corp. to temporarily import cisplatin to help meet patient needs during the shortage. The FDA has assessed the product to ensure it is safe for US patients. See the prescribing information here. The FDA will continue all efforts with the approved manufacturers in addition to any potential importation efforts to meet all patient needs.“

The choice of using Chinese suppliers seems to be a default position. Given te FDA’s track record of failing to check any C19 mRNA injection vials throughout the two plus years of their deployment, the quality assurance of a continuing supply is a major issue.

Here is a link to how NBC is covering the issue.

Cancer drug shortage: FDA will allow imports of cisplatin from China (nbcnews.com)

“The Food and Drug Administration is working with a Chinese drugmaker to import the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, a strategy aimed at ramping up supply amid an ongoing shortage of the drug in the United States.

The FDA is also exploring importing carboplatin, another chemotherapy drug in shortage, according to James McKinney, an agency spokesperson. However, McKinney told NBC News the agency could not yet share specifics on the potential supplier for that drug.”

Enquiring minds want to know if this situation is replicated across Europe, Japan and elsewhere.

Other drugs are in short supply also. “Cisplatin has been in shortage in the U.S. since February, while carboplatin has been in shortage since late April.”

Onwards!

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