Chemotherapy Drug Shortages Affecting Cancer Patients in Florida, Across the Country

Anjan J. Patel, MD

Oncologists and cancer patients throughout the country continue to battle one of the greatest drug shortages experienced in the oncology industry. The platinum drugs, carboplatin and cisplatin, known for effectively treating lung, head and neck, breast, ovarian, gastric, bladder and testicular cancers, have been in short order for the past few months.

A combination of limited manufacturing capacity due to production halts from recent safety inspections and low-profit margins have contributed to dwindling supplies by the drug manufacturers. When paired against high demand for these drugs, the current drug shortage situation is the unfortunate result.

In an article in The Naples Press, “Life on the line,” Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) medical oncologist Anjan J. Patel, MD explains, “These two drugs are in the category of drugs called platinums and are used in several different malignancies, all in the curative setting, so these are patients that have a chance of cure. These are patients where we have a lot of utilization of cisplatin and carboplatin and it’s really impactful when it’s not available.”

FCS, along with several cancer industry leaders, has initiated a grassroots effort which includes outreach to Congressional members to alert them of the drug shortage crisis, providing education on how the situation arose and real-life examples of patients whose lives are at stake.

An FCS patient, Denise Horvat, was also quoted in the article and was shocked to learn that no cisplatin was available to treat her recurrence of cancer in her lungs. The state-wide practice did receive a relief shipment of cisplatin from China, which Denise was offered.

“In terms of the long-term remedy, it’s going to have to be probably from a government-type entity to help companies subsidize the production of these drugs that are otherwise very low-cost,” said Dr Patel.

FCS encourages all engaged parties to reach out their local and state legislators and continue to make them aware of the dire situation cancer patients are in throughout the country.