Vincristine Update & Congratulations Ali!
Vincristine Shortage
Have you heard about the vincristine shortage? Vincristine is a drug used to treat several types of #ChildhoodCancer including leukemias and lymphomas. Attached below is the latest update from the Children's Oncology Group.
“At the beginning of October, pharmacists at COG (Children’s Oncology Group) member institutions raised concerns about the ability to obtain vincristine. COG quickly contacted Pfizer/Hospira, now the sole supplier of vincristine in the United States, and was told that Pfizer/Hospira was experiencing a shortage of drug due to a manufacturing delay. (The other supplier of vincristine in the US, Teva Pharmaceuticals, made a ‘business decision’ and stopped supplying drug to the US in July of 2019.)
An FDA update yesterday stated that Pfizer/Hospira now expects vincristine distribution to resume by the end of October. We are hopeful that this distribution will help avert more patients not being able to receive drug as scheduled. Our first priority must continue to be today’s children with cancer who need vincristine as part of their treatment.”
For more information about the vincristine shortage, please read the full letter from The Children’s Oncology Group http://bit.ly/31ojCS6
On a personal note, I would like to publicly congratulate Co-Founder of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, and my daughter, Dr. Ali McDonough, on her wedding this weekend. Your Mom, Andrew, and I are so proud of you and so happy for you and Anthony. May God bless you with many years of happiness and good health.
Ali & Andrew's proud Dad