The oncology community continues to experience shortages of many critical therapies, including but not limited to doxorubicin, leucovorin, cisplatin, etoposide, nitrogen mustard, vincristine, propofol and morphine. As ASCO continues to provide its members and oncology professionals with the most current information on these shortages and progress toward potential solutions, it is crucial that the Society hears how these shortages are affecting your practices.

"I would encourage oncology professionals to please report the shortages they are experiencing to ASCO, the FDA, or to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)," said ASCO President-Elect Michael P. Link, MD. "The more physicians report, the better idea the FDA has of the current scope of the shortages. "

Oncology professionals can inform ASCO on how these shortages are affecting their practices by contacting the Society at publicpolicy@asco.org or 571-483-1368. Also, please inform the FDA of these shortages at drugshortages@fda.hhs.gov or ASHP at http://www.ashp.org/DrugShortages/Report/.

In November, ASCO co-convened a summit on drug shortages with the ASHP, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices. The summit, which represented a first step in initiating dialog on potential solutions, also included key stakeholders from pharmaceutical manufacturers, supply chain entities, and the FDA. While there is no single reason or solution for the shortages, summit participants developed several recommendations, including:

1. Improve rapid communication between the pharmaceutical supply chain and providers, so providers have more advanced notice to better anticipate and manage shortages

2. Remove the barriers faced by drug manufacturers and the FDA to minimize the impact of drug shortages, such as establishing processes for potentially extending the expiration date of a drug in short supply if it still meets safety requirements

3. Clarify the definition of "medically necessary," which is the term that prompts notifications to the FDA related to drug shortages, to ensure the FDA is aware of shortages in a more timely manner.

ASCO is working with summit participants on solutions to ensure our patients have access to vital cancer therapies. ■

© 2011. American Society of Clinical Oncology. All Rights Reserved.