Some chemotherapy drugs are in short supply.FLICKR, DEREK K MILLER
Drug shortages in the United States have been growing since 2007, with several common chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin and paclitaxel falling well below demand, Nature reported. A plethora of factors are behind the declining stocks, including the consolidation of generic drug makers, a tendency by hospitals and wholesalers to order medicines on demand rather than stockpile supplies, and manufacturing problems such as contamination from mold or glass particles. As a result, hospitals have started rationing dwindling supplies, and some clinical trials have been postponed indefinitely.
As of late August, 198 drug shortages have already been reported in the United States, according to the University of Utah’s drug information service, and of these 15 are cancer drugs required for clinical research. More than 150 trials sponsored ...
