Fight Colorectal Cancer

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.

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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 »

Under the new health care law, millions of Americans will benefit from more accessible and affordable health care – but the key will be getting individuals actually enrolled.

Enroll America is a new nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that all Americans are enrolled in and retain health coverage. It will work at the state and federal levels to push for streamlined enrollment procedures and will also raise awareness of enrollment options among the uninsured.

If you are uninsured, learn about your options at the Enroll America website.

Legislation in Congress will help raise money for colorectal cancer research without increasing federal spending.

Representative Charlie Dent

Pennsylvania congressman Charlie Dent has introduced a bill that would direct the U.S. Postal Service to sell a semipostal stamp to raise money for federally funded colorectal cancer research and prevention programs. Semipostal stamps are regular postage stamps that are sold at a surcharge over their postage value. The additional charge is a voluntary contribution by the purchaser to a designated cause.

Under the “Fight Colorectal Cancer Stamp Act” (H.R. 893), funds raised from a semipostal colorectal cancer stamp would be used for colorectal cancer programs at the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.

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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.