pharmaceutical supply chain

Cancer medicine treatments face pharmaceutical supply chain challenges, including drug shortages and reports of counterfeit medicines reaching U.S. clinics. Efforts to strengthen safety involve legislative solutions like the proposed Safeguarding Americans from Fraudulent and Experimental (SAFE) Drugs Act and regulatory improvements by organizations such as NABP. Furthermore, patient education is stressed as essential so that individuals understand if a medication is FDA-approved or compounded for an individual need.

The FDA has launched a pilot program with Eli Lilly and Regeneron to accelerate the development and approval of U.S. drug manufacturing facilities by engaging companies during design and construction phases. The initiative aims to reduce delays, improve compliance, and strengthen the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain to reduce reliance on overseas production.

The war with Iran has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, threatening the pharmaceutical supply chain. Medications are at risk as the blockade impacts transportation routes, according to CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder.