http://www.wnem.com/story/17126976/nationwide-drug-shortage-problem-increasingNationwide drug shortage problem increasing
Posted: Mar 10, 2012 8:50 AM EST
For emergency medical technicians, shortages can mean the difference between life and death. (Source: CNN/WCBS)
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NEW YORK (CNN/WCBS) – A nationwide drug shortage that's dogging the food and drug administration is hitting home with first responders.
For emergency medical technicians, shortages can mean the difference between life and death.
Ken and Cathy Rapsas' daughter, Mary, suffers daily seizures and without drugs, she would not survive.
"She would die, and that's the bottom line. Mary's already gone into cardiac arrest once. I just don't even want to think about what would happen if we didn't have those medications that would save her life," said her mother.
But the very same ambulance company they call for help is running short of the drugs that could save Mary's life.
"As we're almost out of one drug, we're using another drug to take its place, but pretty soon, that drug will also be out," said Scott Martin of MONOC Health Services.
Nationwide, anti-seizure drugs including intravenous Valium, Versed, and Ativan are among the dozens of drugs - including cancer treatments - that are in short supply.
The ambulance service said it had to special order a temporary replacement anti-seizure drug to avoid running out this weekend, and Mary's parents are beside themselves.
"It's a terrifying situation, just knowing that there's a lack of equipment or lack of medication that would take our daughters life, it's a very, very scary thing," said Mary's father.
The FDA said it tracked at least 220 shortages last year, and claims it prevented 114, but admits the problem is far from solved.
"There is no question that we have our work cut out for us, that it is a public health crisis and we are responding," said Sandra Kweder, M.D., Deputy Director of the Office of New Drugs.
On Capitol Hill, drug makers testified over-regulation is partly to blame for drug shortages, not greed.
"Manufacturers do not and would never deliberately reduce the supply of essential medicines to push prices up," said Ralph Neas of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association.
For the Rapsas family and others like them, political finger pointing will do little good the next time their loved one needs an ambulance.
"She's an integral part of our family we wouldn't be the same without her," said Mary's father.
President Obama supports bi-partisan legislation requiring drug companies to notify the FDA of drug shortages, but so far, congress has failed to act on it.
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