united states continues to face drug shortages, extending its impact to cancer patients

HARSHIL JOSHI – Despite just exiting a global pandemic, doctors are still  scrambling to get their patients the medications they need and deserve. The drug shortage is specifically impacting chemotherapy, which is vital in effectively treating cancer patients. Just like any other medication, chemotherapy requires a specific dosage and regularity in treatment to effectively address its target. With the recent drug shortages that are impacting these  treatments, doctors are forced to implement rationing. Patients may very well still receive an effective treatment of their condition, but in addition to killing cancerous cells, they experience added side effects that negatively impact their lives. According to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health interview between Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., Amanda Fader, M.D., and Mariana Socal, M.D., the interviewees describe the pitfalls in the manufacturing aspect of the drugs, specifically highlighting that the “generic” nature of the chemotherapy treatments leads companies to compete with each other in an attempt to  lower the price as much as possible. This practice may seem beneficial for consumers, and to a certain extent, it is. However, the problem lies within the method by which these companies mass produce these widespread drugs. With a lowering in price being the only goal, there is no incentive to “invest in improvements in manufacturing practices,” so when one part of the factory inevitably fails, the entire supply chain is thrown into disarray as the rest of the companies struggle to cover the loss in market. This scramble ultimately leaves hospital systems with a fragile chain of important treatments.

The main question arises in what can be done to alleviate these depletions. On the simplest level, the manufacturing chain is far too separated. According to a recent Senate report, “80%” of factories that produce the active ingredients in drugs are overseas. This disconnect creates profound effects as even one mistake in an overseas factory can throw off the entire production line. In addition, this practice brings into question the efficacy and safety of these active ingredients. 

This trend is seen consistently throughout the United States. The vast majority of products are produced overseas, with final assembly taking place in America. While the development of a car is not nearly as pressing as cancer drug shortages, this consistency in manufacturing brings to light an overarching issue: to what extent does the U.S. need to localize their production to prevent these far-reaching and potentially dangerous shortages.

Copy Editor – Dione Geiling

Photography Source – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/drug-shortages-are-rising-pose-national-security-risk-new-report-warns-rcna75959