FDA permits temporary import of Chinese cancer drug to alleviate U.S. shortage.
The US FDA is allowing the import of cancer medication cisplatin from Chinese drugmaker Qilu Pharmaceutical to address the ongoing shortage of the drug. Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex will distribute the medication on a temporary basis. Cisplatin is used to treat various cancers and has a cure rate of over 90% when used to treat testicular cancer. The US is facing a near-record number of drug shortages, with about two dozen chemotherapy drugs in active shortage as of the end of March. The FDA has been criticized for falling behind on inspections, but is doing what it can to address the issue.