Quick update

Fight Colorectal Cancer is watching the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing Examining the Increase in Drug Shortages.

The hearing began at 9:30 this morning, September 23, 2011, and will continue after a recess.

You can watch it with us on UStream Live.

Testimony already from Howard K. Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, who was accompanied by Dr. Sandra L. Kweder from the FDA.  Both answered questions from Subcommittee Members.

Patients who go to the doctor prepared with the questions they want answered get better care, according to the federal government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

They have a new website that can help you start the communication with your doctor, even before you get to your appointment.

AHRQ says,

Asking questions and providing information to your doctor and other care providers can improve your care. Talking with your doctor builds trust and leads to better results, quality, safety, and satisfaction.

Read the rest of this entry »

A survey of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses working in healthcare facilities found an increasing number of frustrating drug shortages.  Worse:

• One out of three reviewed facilities had a serious error that was caught in time — a near miss.
• One out of four had an actual medication error resulting from the shortages.
• One out of five reported actual adverse outcomes for patients.

This may only be the tip of the iceberg according to the health care professionals surveyed.  Many felt that errors and bad patient outcomes aren’t always shared so there maybe many more. Read the rest of this entry »

Some recent updates from the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists of interest to people with colon and rectal cancer:

• Fluorouracil (5-FU) as of 8/31/11: On back order from Teva, APP Pharmaceuticals, and Mylan Institutional.  Manufacturing delays at Teva appear to have caused increased demand from other companies.
• Leucovorin as of 8/31/11:   Bedford has some powderized sizes available and limited allocations of others.  Teva is importing folinic acid solution and it is available for drop shipment, but powdered leucovorin is on back order. APP is releasing powderized leucovorin as it becomes available.
• Irinotecan as of 8/26/11:  Teva and Sandoz have back orders of some doses because of manufacturing problems.  Hospira shortages are due to increased demand.  Some dosage vials are available from APP and as Camptosar from Pfizer.  Three generic manufacturers stopped making irinotecan in 2010 and another one did so in May 2011.
• Fusilev as of 6/21/11:  Although it was in shortage previously, Spectrum has announced that they have ample supplies currently and for the future.  ASHP reminds physicians and pharmacists that dosing errors can occur when substituting Fusilev (levoleucovorin) for leucovorin.

Check the links to ASHP updated sites for more detailed information about which sizes are available, reasons given for shortages, and when shortages are expected to be resolved.

Take action!

Email your Members of Congress in support of legislation that would combat future drug shortages. We make it easy in our online action center.

Although they are widely touted on TV, on the Internet, and in newspaper and magazine ads, colon cleansing regimens have

• No proof  that they are effective in promoting general health or well-being.
• Lots of evidence that they are actually harmful, even potentially life-threatening.

Administered either orally as teas, pills, or powders or through the rectum as high-powered enemas or colonic hydrotherapy, colon cleansers promise to “detox” the body and eliminate fatigue, weight gain, and headaches.  Using informercials and celebrities, they say they will “boost the immune system” and promote weight loss.

The problem is that there is not a shred of evidence that colon cleansing does any of these things.

And there is evidence that it can make holes in the colon requiring surgery, cause serious infections, lead to dehydration and heart and kidney damage, and sometimes kill.

Read the rest of this entry »