Having a 3-year-old in the family diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and currently going through treatment, we found something very disturbing.
Teva Pharmaceuticals, the company that is/was the major producer of the drug vincristine notified the U.S. government in March that it would be discontinuing production of vincristine because it was not profitable.
Vincristine, for children with cancer, is like water to a plant. According to the experts, it is the "bread and butter" treatment drug for children with cancer.
Production was halted in July 2019. An online petition seeking signatures to present to the U.S. government has garnered 74,000 signatures, to address this situation. The "White House" requires 100,000 signatures before they will address it.
Some children with cancer may die without this drug. It may have to be rationed or may not even be available. Pfizer is trying to increase its production of the drug but cannot keep pace with the demand.
In fact, it is documented that, since 2014, pharmaceutical companies have dropped 204 drugs because they were not cost effective. No profit, no drug. Pitiful.
Call your politicians in government and let them know what you think. Our children are worth it.
Norman Steffen, Millcreek
