AMSTERDAM – Standard drugs commonly used to treat patients with hematologic and other malignancies are in worryingly short supply, not only in the United States, but also around the globe – a situation that has prompted three leading U.S. and European societies to issue an urgent call to action.
The American Society for Hematology (ASH), the European Hematology Association (EHA), and the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) issued joint statements June 16 to highlight the problem, which affects the care of patients with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other life-threatening blood disorders.
The international collaborative announced it would collect data on drug shortages and report the information to the respective authorities, as has been done in the United States. In addition, it "pledged to support legislation in the United States, Europe, and around the world that provides clear, effective interventions to alleviate drug shortages."
"Medicine should be available for any patient who needs it and there should be no barriers to access medicine."
Europe Takes Action
"In the United States, legislation is well under way that may curb drug shortages," Dr. Ulrich Jäger of the Medical University of Vienna, noted in the EHA press statement.
"In Europe, we do not even have a proper understanding of the problem," the EHA president added. "We must work together with our partners to raise awareness and protect the heath of patients with blood disorders worldwide."
In addition to issuing joint press statements, the societies used the joint ESH-ASH symposium at the annual congress of the European Hematology Association to highlight the issue. From the patient’s perspective, it is one of the most basic human rights to be given appropriate access to health care, said Viorica Cursaru, the president of Myeloma Euronet Romania, a member of the ECPC.
Ms. Cursaru noted that the EU health commissioner had stated that the ultimate objective of the EU is to have patients treated well in their own countries and that the time had come to implement Europewide strategies for health.
For this to happen, she argued, there needs to be not only a harmonized legal framework, but also appropriate infrastructure that is lacking in many, particularly eastern European, countries, the professional staff to implement changes, and the political will at both an EU and at a national level.
Big Pharma’s Perspective
Giving the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), perspective, Brendan Barnes said that medicine shortages come down to more than just the price and availability; the issue is also about affordability and economic viability. EFPIA is a trade association representing the interests of the research-based pharmaceutical industry,
"We are private sector entities and we need to have a basis to do the business," Mr. Barnes maintained. While the industry wants to do all it can to ensure the adequate provision of drugs to everyone in need, via patient access schemes and reimbursement, accessibility, and affordability ultimately also comes down to local governments and their policies.