Cancer drug crisis in the US – and how will it affect Israel?

A survey by the NCCN network reveals a widespread shortage of basic oncology drugs in the US. All 31 responding centers reported a shortage of at least one drug, and 94% reported a shortage of ifosfamide. The shortage may lead to dose changes or switching to alternative drugs, along with bureaucratic burdens with insurance companies. The article notes that the survey sample is not representative of the entire US, but highlights vulnerabilities in the global supply chain of essential generic drugs.

A new survey by the American cancer center network NCCN reveals a widespread shortage of basic oncology drugs in the United States. All 31 centers that responded to the survey reported a shortage of at least one drug, and more than a fifth reported a shortage of five or more drugs. The most severe shortage is of ifosfamide, a generic chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer, with 94% of centers reporting a shortage. Major platinum drugs such as carboplatin (71%) and cisplatin (16%) are also in shortage. The shortage may lead to changes in dosages, treatment schedules, or switching to alternative drugs, along with bureaucratic burdens with insurance companies. The survey was conducted at the end of August among 34 NCCN member institutions, of which 31 responded. The article notes that the data does not represent a full census of all hospitals in the US, but indicates a broad and ongoing problem. Regarding Israel, there is no evidence of a parallel shortage in the country, but the crisis highlights the vulnerability of the global supply chain for essential generic drugs.