Shortage Of Drugs For Kids With Leukemia Averted
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A potential shortage of medication intended for children with Leukemia has apparently been averted.
A few days ago, doctors said they could run out of Methotrexate by the end of next week. The big problem came when one of the makers of the drug shut down production last week.
However, the Food and Drug Administration has been able to get three other makers to boost production and the shutdown plant will release its emergency supply.
The shortage could've been fatal for the 3,500 kids diagnosed each year with leukemia.
This is the latest shortage involving cancer medications and other drugs. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is pushing a new bill to make sure these shortages stop.
"I just wish some of my colleagues would meet some of these little kids with no hair, who've been through treatment and are surviving but then find out in the middle that there may not be a drug available for them the next day," said Klobuchar. "This is not the time where we start talking about the procedural rules of the Senate. There's got to be a way to get it done."
Klobuchar's legislation would beef up the FDA's power to prevent shortages. It would in part require drug companies to alert the government when supplies are low.
