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The national concern over a shortage of cancer drugs is not that far from home. Patients and doctors across the country are scrambling for drugs like methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug critical in the treatment of childhood leukemia that is now in short supply. 

KHQA spoke with a doctor of oncology, M. Amjad Ali, from Quincy Medical Group and Blessing Cancer Center and found out that this national threat is also cause for local concern. 

The treament of local patients has not been compromised thus far, but Ali warns that if something is not done quickly, patients here will see the effects. 

Doctors at Blessing Cancer Center are using other forms of cancer treatment because of the shortage, Ali said. This causes the treatment plans to be modified in order to accommodate the lack of specific drug treatments. The doctor credits the directors and staff support of Blessing Cancer Center and Quincy Medical Group for safeguarding their patients from many of the effects other patients throughout the country are facing. 

"I think it is going to be a problem, if this problem continues," he said. "I think we, the community will be affected, absolutely, no question."

If the something does not happen quick the people may have to venture to other cities to receive get treatment.

"That is a burden on the society, a burden on the families, economy," Ali said. "Everything is going to get affected. Of course we are going to get affected to. The city, the community and there are a lot of issues with that. If they have to go every two weeks or three weeks treatment, whatever the treatment schedule is. So the government has to do something about it."

In response to the drug shortage several drug companies are producing more of the needed drugs and some have even released some of their emergency supplies. 

Other countries life Europe and Canada are not experiencing the cancer drug shortage.  One reason for this is because the companies there are able to manufacture the generic forms of the medication and do not have to have the FDA approval that we need here in the United States.  Some patients are deciding to leave the country in order to purchase their generic forms of medication. 

Legislation is also stepping in with prevention efforts. 

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) is behind bipartisan legislation to give more power to the Food and Drug Administration in order to prevent future shortages. The new legislation would require the drug companies, such as the one's producing methotrexate, to inform the government when their supply is low.

So what type of incentives can you provide to a drug company to supply more of the generic form, which has a low profit margin, instead of forcing patients to opt for brand name drugs?  Let us know what you think on our KHQA Facebook page.