Drug shortages causing rationed care

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Doctors say prescription drug shortages across the country are leading to a rationing of care that can only be rectified by a compete overhaul of the drug manufacturing system.

“Rationing is going on for our cancer patients today, not because of the government, not because of our physicians, but because of decisions being made by companies,” said Dr. David Frank of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Doctors testified before the Legislature’s Public Health Committee Monday, saying that companies are under-producing life-saving drugs.  Low supplies are forcing doctors to pick and choose which patients to administer medicine to and who to leave empty handed.

Complicating matters further is the so-called “Grey Market”, where people are capitalizing on the drug shortages by hoarding medicine and later selling it for 1000 times the market price.  Pharmacists say the practice is legal and a source of struggle in their profession.

“You have a patient that needs [prescription drugs], but you have almost evil sitting on the other side saying well I got it for you, but it’s going to cost you $20 and to me that’s so unethical that I can’t do it,” said Hallmark Health System Pharmacy Services System Director Michelle Corrado.                                                                                            

Health advocates say pharmaceutical companies are under-producing their wares because their manufacturing technology is behind, so the solution, they say, is to rebuild the manufacturing infrastructure.  

“The federal government is looking at ways we can try and help these companies get these plants built, keep their old plants running in a way that allows for quality products to be made,” said Dr. Sandra Kweder of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the US Food & Drug Administration.

Dr. Kweder said drug companies are cooperating, but it will take years before their manufacturing power can create enough supply to reach the prescription drug demand.