Generic Cancer Drugs Scarcity in Canadian Pharmacy Causes Panic
The medical fraternity has raised a great hue and cry about the shortage of generic cancer drugs in the market. The situation is alarming as 14 of the 34 generic cancer drugs being sold in the month of August 2011 is in short supply. A Canadian pharmacy has also felt vibrations and is forced to make several adjustments to keep up with the shortage creeping into its stock as well.
Generic cancer drugs were introduced and given importance to bring the cost of medication down to a reasonable level. It was regulated at an average of around $3 per dose, which was quite reasonable as compared to branded drugs doctors are now forced to prescribe. In some cases, the price of a branded cancer drug could go over 100 times the cost compared to generic drugs before the shortage came in.
Companies spend many years and hundreds of millions of dollars investing in research for developing new cancer drugs. By the time a drug is discovered and gets approved, the cost could go well above $ 1 billion before hitting the market. One of the new branded drugs introduced in the market by Seattle Genetics was approved in August for blood cancer. It is estimated that patient costs is likely to be in excess of $ 120,000 per patient. Investors have already voiced their concern about feasibility. People buy generic Arimidex or generic Leukeran bringing down costs of their treatment to a great extent. A Canadian pharmacy was able to offer great benefits in pricing until the shortage hit the market.
Recent news attributed the shortage to shortage of essential ingredients and raw materials needed to produce the cancer drugs. Corporates have been unwilling to invest more money in the development and production of cancer drugs unless it becomes more feasible in the long run. Generic drugs are manufactured to sell at low cost. Manufacturers are therefore never in a hurry to fix production line problems or to keep on improving quality due to tight budgets.
A great deal of expense is involved in sustaining a production unit meeting FDA standards, especially when cancer drugs have to be manufactured. Liberties are therefore taken in the upkeep of the production units also because there are just a few FDA inspectors to monitor the facilities. It is therefore becoming difficult to maintain quality of the drugs.
Branded drugs are finding it difficult to sustain sales at a low pricing. The effect of low pricing has already been highlighted by patients, insurers, and lawmakers. Experts are of the view generic manufacturers should not be granted permission to produce sensitive drugs requiring optimum quality unless they agree to have their manufacturing facilities inspected and certified to produce quality cancer drugs.
A Canadian pharmacy will agree prices of cancer drugs should not be raised just to increase profits, but it should be done to create an atmosphere where manufacturing feasibility is considered important and practical to maintain quality and allow manufacturers to improve on their facilities to sustain quality. Unless serious action is taken by the authorities, shortage of cancer drugs will continue.
About the Author
I am a Canadian writer. I have been working in the Canadian pharmaceutical industry for several years and believe that Canadian online pharmacies provide a viable option for US citizens. Check out Big Mountain Drugs to learn more about how you can save on your prescription medications with the rewards program. Make Big Mountain Drugs your trusted Online Canadian pharmacy.
UF medicinal chemists modify sea bacteria byproduct for use as potential cancer drug
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