Act Now – Take Action Against Drug Shortages
Blood cancer patients are once again being affected by the drug shortage problems plaguing the patient community for much of the last year. There is currently a significant shortage of preservative-free methotrexate, a drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. Unless production of preservative-free methotrexate increases, hospitals will run out of the medication completely in the days and weeks ahead.
As many as 180 drugs used to treat childhood leukemia, breast and colon cancer, and other chronic diseases were declared in short supply in 2011. To help address this issue, The Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act (S. 296 / H.R. 2245) has been introduced in Congress, which provides the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a warning system in the form of a notification of a discontinuation or prolonged interruption of a medication's production. The advanced warning system will aid the FDA in better dealing with impending prescription drug shortages.
Blood cancer patients and their families need your help now! For patients fighting cancer and other chronic diseases, access to the proper medication is truly a life and death matter. Please visit LLS's Advocacy Center and send a pre-drafted, editable email to your elected officials urging their support of the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act. Please act now! |
Posted under: