Business, Government Legal News from throughout WVChildren's cancer drug shortage has parents and doctors worried

A severe shortage of a childhood cancer drug has some parents and doctors worried.

The Federal Drug Administration is blaming the shortage of methotrexate on manufacturing delays and it's a major concern for people at hospitals across the country.

Josh Houchin's son Lane is being treated for acute Lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, and said the drug is used as chemo for kids to put them into remission.

"Once you have to deal with leukemia it's hard enough and not having the medicine is the last thing you want to worry about," said Houchins.

Dr. Allen Chauvenet, Head of Pediatrics at CAMC Women and Children's said there are several reasons, one problem: a smaller profit margin because many of these drugs have become generic.

Amber Curry's son Trey is also sick with ALL and said she's relieved CAMC has enough of the drug, but worries about the future and other children that don't have the drug.

"In one hand you feel bad those kids don't have enough, but also a huge sigh of relief we do," said Curry.

Dr. Chauvenet says CAMC has been fortunate enough to have a strong supply of the drug, but that could change and he says people need to make lawmakers aware of the problem.

"We believe the supply is going to be addressed, but eventually we could run out," said Dr. Chauvenet.

The FDA, Congress and drug manufacturers are all working for a solution. Proposed legislation should help, but it is still a ways off.

Methotrexate is just one of 283 drugs currently in short supply.