Important measures to secure the supply of cancer drugs

29.06.2023 18:41

The Bundestag has passed the Act to Combat Drug Supply Bottlenecks and Improve Care (ALBVVG). Among other things, it contains an extended stockpiling requirement for off-patent cancer drugs and an early warning system for delivery bottlenecks. Specialist societies that deal with research into cancer diseases and cancer care and cancer self-help organizations welcome the measures. They can prevent supply shortages and strengthen cancer patients' confidence in the security of drug supply.

The number of delivery and supply bottlenecks for cancer drugs has increased significantly in the past year. In particular, the shortages of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen and calcium folinate, a drug used to treat pancreatic and colon cancer, had caused great uncertainty. The supply of these two medicines was made even more difficult by panic purchases. After the delivery bottlenecks became known, pharmacies and those affected had to further reduce their already scarce reserves.

The ALBVVG, passed in third reading by the German Bundestag on June 23, 2023, contains a package of different measures. Three regulations are of particular importance for cancer drugs:

• Extension of the obligation to continuously and promptly stockpile off-patent medicines for six months
• Establishment of an early warning system for impending, supply-relevant delivery bottlenecks at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM)
• Diversifying antibiotic supply chains

The scientific medical societies that deal with research into cancer diseases and cancer care and the cancer self-help organizations welcome these measures. The planned stockpiling of essential medicines for six months would have prevented the supply bottleneck for tamoxifen. Hedy Kerek-Bodden, chairwoman of the House of Cancer Self-Help in Bonn: “Cancer patients are very afraid that their potentially life-saving medication will suddenly no longer be available. Knowing that you have a safe supply can restore a feeling of security.” Prof. Dr. med. Hermann Einsele, Executive Chairman of the DGHO German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology, also welcomes the new regulations on antibiotics: “Infections are among the most common complications of intensive cancer therapy. The safe supply of antibiotics, including reserve antibiotics for resistant pathogens, is essential for supportive therapy in outpatient and inpatient settings.”

However, the scientific medical societies also point out that not all of the proposals discussed in advance were incorporated into the law. This includes sustainable measures for short supply chains and the diversification of suppliers in discount contracts beyond antibiotics. The next few months will have to show whether the regulations that have now been decided are sufficient and effective.