Cancer Drug Shortages Acute in Boston

Shortages of critical drugs used to treat cancer, infections, cardiovascular disease, and pain have become a nationwide issue, but the shortages are particularly acute in Massachusetts. According to a new report by IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, the supply of 64 injectable drugs in the state over three months this summer declined by a third, compared to last year. The drug shortage, which mostly affects generic drugs, has affected local hospitals, particularly in cancer care where alternatives may not be as effective.

As described in our MSAIntell Report, Oncology and the Boston MSA, the drug shortages are hitting at a time when market forces in Boston are in action and transition. Simultaneous, independent or linked, and the instability is leading to confusion and uncertainty in the marketplace. Approximately half of pharmacy spend for biologics or specialty pharmacy is in the area of oncology.

There are a number of marketplace transitions occurring at the same time, in parallel or sequentially that many times involves a juxtaposition of an issue—all of which adds to marketplace confusion or inaction. The management of complex and chronic disease patients, like oncology, requires knowing as well as being aware of the inter-relationships among the market stakeholders/players.

To be successful, it has become increasingly important to better determine the key relationships and market change opportunities in order to take an action(s). Where it is possible to test and model actions that can be taken with players in the market, an advantage is created when trying to scale up a successful approach as well as to rapidly execute a market change opportunity in the most timely manner.

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