FDA Approves Two Companies To Produce Drugs In Short Supply
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The FDA has approved additional suppliers for two crucial cancer drugs which have been in short supply for months.
Doctors and Pharmacists have been scrambling for supplies of Methotrexate which is often used to treat leukemia and Doxil a drug for ovarian and other cancers.
Dr. Shayma Kazmi, a medical oncologist at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, calls this a good first step.
"I hope they keep continuing this with some of the other medications that are also in shortage and give the field the proper competition so everyone has the incentive to keep the medication in supply."
Currently more than 280 drugs are in short supply nationwide. Dr. Kazmi expects it to take several months for the additional doses of Doxil and Methotrexate to reach patients.
