Drug shortages hit an all-time high

Forever Sunshine
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Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 17, 2011 23:11:46 GMT -5

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Post by Forever Sunshine on Dec 17, 2011 23:11:46 GMT -5

Between 2006 and 2010, drug shortages increased by more than 200%, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Thursday. There were a record 196 shortages last year, and even more are expected in 2012.

“These shortages often force Americans to go without treatment,” Senator Tom Harkin said.

Renee Mosier is one of those patients who has been forced to forgo treatment and look for alternatives. The 61-year-old was first diagnosed in 2006 with ovarian cancer. After several successful surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, the cancer came back this past June.

Her doctor suggested a chemo regimen that included Doxil, one of the most successful drugs to help keep ovarian cancer at bay. The only problem? Doxil wasn’t available. It is one of the drugs on the drug shortage list, and has not been available for several months. On average, the GAO report found that most shortages last more than 9 months.

thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/16/drug-shortages-hit-an-all-time-high/?hpt=hp_bn10

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beags
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If God is the DJ. Life is a dance floor. Love is a rhythm. You are the music.

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Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 18, 2011 9:13:51 GMT -5

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Post by beags on Dec 18, 2011 9:13:51 GMT -5

This just makes me angry . . . . the healthcare system in our country needs an overhaul. Yes, that would include pharmasuedical drugs also.

Everyone keeps saying how it's great that everyone is going to have health insurance. What good is it if they aren't going to fix the system? I can't afford healthcare WITH my insurance. BIG DEAL so people will have insurance . . . fix the damn system first.

"If we can learn to listen to the part of us that says to nurture one another more the world will be a better place..
That's what we humans should work on. Cause then, pretty soon, the part of our nature that says to harm one another will no longer exist. And then, Heaven will be found on Earth." . . my daughter

snerdley Guest	Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 18, 2011 10:51:01 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by snerdley on Dec 18, 2011 10:51:01 GMT -5 It needs fixed, but how?

mtman
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Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 18, 2011 11:41:52 GMT -5

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Post by mtman on Dec 18, 2011 11:41:52 GMT -5

so people will have insurance . . . fix the damn system first.

Actually beags, I don't think any more people will have insurance than they do now.....All obama did was make it mandatory to have insurance.....If you can't afford it now, you won't be able to afford it then......The folks that can't afford it will have to pay the penalty, which is much less expensive than trying to pay for insurance (which will suddenly become much more expensive once it becomes mandatory)......American people were sold out when obama crawled in bed with the insurance companies.

pod 7 Gabber Extraordinaire No message ta alls now well TA EVER SO Posts: 5,032	Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 18, 2011 12:00:31 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by pod 7 on Dec 18, 2011 12:00:31 GMT -5 Being cynical :Would it be the drug companies holding off ? just so they can UP the prices
	YOU KNOW YOUR GETTING FAT ,WHEN YOU CAN PINCH AN INCH ON YOUR FOREHEAD

beags Gabber Extraordinaire If God is the DJ. Life is a dance floor. Love is a rhythm. You are the music. Posts: 1,654	Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 18, 2011 12:53:52 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by beags on Dec 18, 2011 12:53:52 GMT -5 pod7 and mtman, good points and you are most likely correct. Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to this country and how little those in power care.
	"If we can learn to listen to the part of us that says to nurture one another more the world will be a better place.. That's what we humans should work on. Cause then, pretty soon, the part of our nature that says to harm one another will no longer exist. And then, Heaven will be found on Earth." . . my daughter

pg tipsy Gabber Extraordinaire I come to the forum in peace Posts: 1,812	Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 26, 2011 9:09:14 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by pg tipsy on Dec 26, 2011 9:09:14 GMT -5 Which is good news for Alternative medicines!

snerdley
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Drug shortages hit an all-time high Dec 26, 2011 10:16:11 GMT -5

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Post by snerdley on Dec 26, 2011 10:16:11 GMT -5

Yes, we need to take better care of ourselves and also stop relying solely on pills as magic bullets. We need a combo of the two. But, unfortunately, nobody is going to make a product unless they make big profits. And, drug companies have discovered that they can make zillions on minor ailments like heartburn, cholesterol and on and on versus offer better medications for rarer, more serious illness. It is a numbers game. If you put a lot of relatively healthy people on medications versus a few with rare diseases, what is the better deal for them? Not saying we should eliminate those other pills but the prepoderance of their research seems to be making better pills for the mass market. How many versions of zantac and nexium do we really need where they change one molecule on it and declare it the new improved version. How many versions of Lipitor and other statins? All well and good but i think that is the focus. And, govt control unfortunately isn't an answer and will only ensure more shortages.