'It's Worrisome': Shortage Of Common Drug Impacting Oklahomans Battling Cancer, Doctor Says

Many cancer patients are in a real bind right now because of a shortage of a common cancer drug. Doctors are having to switch to other medications and that can mean delays in cases where time is of the essence.

One doctor says he has hundreds of patients being affected by the chemotherapy shortage and these are people who need the treatment now, rather than later.

Tulena Meyer was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and she's starting to get worried after finding out about the chemotherapy shortage.

"What if that is the one that I need to get that last bit of the cancer cells gone," Meyer said.

Dr. Daron Street, President of the Oklahoma Cancer Specialist and Research Institute, says 27 different drug types are on high alert because of this shortage.

"Specifically cytotoxic drugs Cisplatin and Carboplatin. Carboplatin is actually the one right now that is the hardest to get," Dr. Street says.

Cisplatin and Carboplatin are used to treat a range of cancers. Meyer is still getting chemo but without carboplatin for the two past doses and she can't tell a difference, but she also isn't sure it's working, and she wants to make sure the treatments are helping her get better.

"I don't know if I need that and the other ones combined to make sure it's killing all the cancer cells so it's kind of worrisome," Myer said.

Dr. Street says this has been going on for several months. Experts say it's a combination of too few companies being able to make enough of the drugs, supply chain shortages and issues with drug manufacturing plants overseas.

Dr. Street doesn't know when the shortage will end and says it's a horrible feeling to know people who rely on these drugs, can't get them.

"We won't know those effects for many years probably, but we know that they aren't getting the best opportunities when those drugs are denied," Dr. Street says.

Meyer says people need to be aware there are medications right now that aren't available.

"This could save a person's life and they may die because they can't get it and that's sad," Meyer said.