New law will help drug shortage issue

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Legislation championed by Senator Richard Blumenthal addresses a drug shortage issue. What was passed should help people who will follow in the footsteps of patients like Susan Block.

Everywhere you glance, a reflection of life stares back at you in Susan Block's garden.

It is where the constant gardener breathes and tends to the smallest of creatures, like her fish in the pond to the birds who flock to the feeder.

However, a battle with ovarian cancer not just once but twice, was shattering to her active healthy lifestyle.  
 
"I was even more shocked than the first time because I didn't make any allowance for it to return in my life," said Block.

Even more cruel, mid-way through her promising second round of treatment she says, "my numbers were coming down. I was able to feel hopeful again. "

Then doctors told her that Doxil, her cancer drug was no longer available and others were not as viable.    

An emphatic Block responded, "what do you mean you can't get me my drug. I'm halfway through treatment, when are you getting it? We don't know."  

The drug shortage led to a letter of desperation to Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal.  

"It was about other people going through what I was going through," she said.   

The growing number of people affected led to the Senator to push for passage of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

Among the provisions, requiring drug companies to notify the FDA at least six months before a shortage.

Senator Blumenthal says, "right now shortages occur often without any warning or any notice whatsoever and this measure now part of our law will require better early warnings so there can be better preparation."

There's more to come.

The Senator adds, "we're now in the midst of an investigation into possible manipulation in the market, possibly illegal practices of creating higher prices and really shortages that result from bad practices."

Block got the drug she needed after contacting the Senator's office.

"I couldn't have done it without the help," she said.

Her cancer is now in remission and her mission in life is to share with others the reality she has learned.   

"They have to be their own best advocate. They have to reach out for help."   

The FDA Safety and Innovation Act, signed by President Obama, has back up measures to ensure more of the drugs that are needed are always available.

That includes expediting plant inspections so that manufacturers can quickly produce the drug in shortage or at risk of it.