Drug shortages --> drug substitutions --> poorer cancer treatment outcomes

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/12/27/study-ties-drug-shortage-to-poorer-cancer-survival/

Study ties drug shortage to poorer cancer survival

Published December 27, 2012

Associated Press

Only 75 percent of those given the substitute drug stayed free of cancer for two years versus 88 percent who received the preferred treatment.

"We can think of no credible explanation for this dramatic difference" other than the drug substitution, the authors wrote.

No patients died, but those who relapsed were given more aggressive treatments, including stem-cell transplants that have more side effects and can harm fertility.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/12/27/study-ties-drug-shortage-to-poorer-cancer-survival/#ixzz2GGBIdQW4