Congress: It's Time to End Devastating Cancer Drug Shortages!
Imagine being a parent and hearing "your child has cancer." Imagine learning the drugs needed to save your child's life aren't available due to a short supply. Sound like a nightmare?
For too many childhood cancer patients, cancer drug shortages mean this nightmare is all too real. That means kids struggling with cancer are forced to go without, or their parents must choose less effective and potentially more physically damaging treatments.
There is legislation before Congress that would help ensure cancer patients don't have to delay their treatment because of devastating drug shortages, but despite bi-partisan support the bills face gridlock and delay.
Fighting childhood cancer is hard enough on its own. No family should also have to fight just to get the treatment their child needs. Tell your representative to quickly pass legislation that would prevent any more devastating cancer drug shortages!
Dear [Representative],
Recently doctors and cancer patients have been faced with unprecedented drug shortages. Low supplies of vital cancer drugs have meant that cancer patients have been forced to delay treatment, or choose less effective more physically damaging treatments. More horrifying still, several drugs used to treat children with cancer are among those facing limited supply.
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The Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2012 (H.R.3839) would help mitigate shortages by creating better alert systems to identify potential drug shortages, help prevent illegal stockpiling and price gouging, and expedite the review process for applications or requests that relate to drugs on the critical shortage list.
Similarly, the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medication Act would help create earlier notification of anticipated drug shortages, which the FDA says could have prevented a majority of last years drug shortages.
We cannot allow this important legislation to get caught in gridlock and delay. Please, take action to help ensure all cancer patients can access the treatments they need.
