The US, and Pittsburgh is no exception, is dealing with a public health emergency.
A shortage of chemotherapy drugs.
Patients are waiting for treatment with 14 cancer drugs in shortage. On the Big K Morning Show with Larry and Marty, Dr. Stanley Marks, chairman at UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center, estimates there won't be adequate supply in 10 to 14 days and some patients could die.
The closure of a plant in India and its US subsidiary where three cancer drugs are produced is a big part of the problem.
At the same time, demand is increasing. Nearly 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. One step the FDA has taken is to temporarily allow the import of chemo drugs from other countries.
Dr. Marks says it will help, but it won’t solve the problem. He says we must increase domestic production and we say he is right. If America can respond to the pandemic quickly to produce a COVID vaccine, it should be possible to work as quickly to make the drugs cancer patients need at plants in the US.
It’s a life or death situation.