Rationing care in times of drug shortage

When the availability of a life-saving drug runs low, determining which patients take priority becomes a morally sensitive decision for care givers. The burden is especially great for those treating kids with cancer, as the supply of chemotherapy and supportive care agents for cancer dries up faster than any other kind of drug in this country. A new ethical framework has been created, however, to help prioritize allocation based on input from task force members specializing in pediatric oncology, nursing, pharmacy, and other disciplines.