American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Apr 2013
National survey on the effect of oncology drug shortages on cancer care.
The results of a survey to characterize oncology drug shortages across the United States and the impact of shortages on clinical practice, patient safety, clinical trials, and health care costs are presented. ⋯ A survey of U.S. oncology pharmacists indicated that oncology drug shortages occurred frequently in the first half of 2011. Shortages led to delays in chemotherapy and changes in therapy, complicated the conduct of clinical research, increased the risks of medication errors and adverse outcomes, and increased medication costs.
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The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety and tolerability of brentuximab vedotin are reviewed. ⋯ Brentuximab vedotin, a novel antibody-drug conjugate combining a cytotoxic agent with a selective monoclonal antibody, is a therapeutic option for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL. Phase I and II studies have shown brentuximab to have a manageable toxicity profile.