Cancer drug shortages leave families waiting; A Texas startup tries to fill the gap

For families facing childhood cancer, the fear is already overwhelming. But for some, it’s compounded by a new and terrifying reality: being told the life-saving drugs their child needs may not be available.

Experts say those shortages are often tied to the United States’ heavy reliance on overseas drug manufacturing — a supply chain that can quickly unravel when a major plant is shut down.

One example: methotrexate, a cornerstone drug in pediatric cancer treatment.

In 2023, a manufacturing facility in India operated by Intas Pharmaceuticals was shut down after the Food and Drug Administration found serious safety violations, describing conditions as a “cascade of failure.” The shutdown disrupted a significant portion of the U.S. supply.

That reality caught the attention of billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who has launched an effort to manufacture generic drugs in the United States.

Read more at Spotlightinvestigates.com.

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