Six months after President Obama signed an executive order designed to help the Food & Drug Administration, that agency's commissioner is reporting that the prognosis is good.
According to an informal voice blog provided by FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, a number of changes have taken place in that time frame, notably:
Thus far in 2012, 42 drugs have been newly reported as being in shortage, compared to this time last year, when the number of drugs reported was 90.
Another 128 drug shortages have been prevented in that span through early notification.
Dr. Hamburg also noted what's happening with four extremely important cancer drugs:
Methotrexate: The most dire of them all, the shortage of methotrexate was putting lives in direct danger. But Hamburg says that it's resolved and that supply is "currently meeting all demand, and we do not expect any further supply issues.
Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil): The FDA imported an Indian brand of liposomal doxorubicin (Lipo-Dox), and is using that to stem the delay.
Leucovorin injection: Hamburg says "We are working with the manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, to produce additional shipments in the coming weeks to help improve supplies."
Mechlorethamine (Mustargen): Hamburg says that the drug will be available by August.
Source: Medscape
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