Richard L. Schilsky, MD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine and Deputy Director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the impact that sequestration had on the FDA.

In addition to drug shortages, sequestration has recently begun to impact the FDA and other government industries in other ways. The FDA has encountered problems with staffing and sending representatives to scientific meetings.

Schilsky says that an FDA official informed him that the administration used to send 30-40 officials to the American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting, but only sent three in 2013. This can have a negative impact as the physicians responsible for determining what drugs go to the market cannot even attend meetings to hear data about various drugs.

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Richard L. Schilsky, MD, from the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses sequestration and the effect on the FDA.

Dr. Schilsky on the Impact of Sequestration on the FDA

Richard L. Schilsky, MD, professor of medicine and hematology/oncology section chief at the University of Chicago, and chairman of the ASCO Government Relations Committee, summarizes the difficulties and added anxiety created by the recent oncology drug shortages.

Schilsky notes that drug shortages appear periodically and are not all together uncommon. The most recent shortages are for sterile generic injectables that are intended for cancer treatment. This shortage has escalated in recent years, with many drug supplies falling short for longer periods of time. In the past few years, two dozen therapies have been in short supply, Schilsky adds.

Many of the scarce therapies are mainstays for particular cancer treatments and some do not have suitable alternatives. This creates a very difficult situation for physicians, as they struggle to find enough medications for their patients. Additionally, extreme anxiety is created for patients who fear that they will not be able to receive the therapy they need.

Dr. Richard Schilsky, from the University of Chicago, Summarizes the Recent Oncology Drug Shortage.

Richard L. Schilsky, MD

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Dr. Schilsky on the Impact of Sequestration on the FDA

Dr. Schilsky Summarizes the Oncology Drug Shortage