Teva to resume production of child cancer drug as shortage persists

Nov. 15, 2019

Teva Pharmaceuticals announced that it will resume production of childhood cancer drug vincristine after a recent shortage.

The drugmaker made the decision to cease production in March 2019, claiming its product only made up 3 percent of the market share, with Pfizer, the brand manufacturer, producing the majority. Teva said that when they made this decision, there was no indication of a possible shortage.

Now, according to Teva's Twitter post: "Because vincristine is such a lifesaving medicine — and there is no reliable single supply anticipated in the near term — we have decided to re-introduce the product and plan to manufacture in our plant in the U.S., which provides the fastest route to market."

Teva product will be available to patients in the U.S. as early in 2020 as possible, says the drugmaker.