Stocks of a vital cancer drug are running low in the US, which could affect children with leukaemia within weeks.
The US Food and Drug Administration says a number of drug manufacturers are flagging up shortages in methotrexate ? which slows the growth of white blood cells in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a cancer that typically affects young children.
Manufacturing delays and unexpectedly high levels of demand are blamed for the shortfall, together with the voluntary closure of Ben Venue Laboratories, one of the nation's largest suppliers of the drug.
Oncologists are concerned supplies could run out in some areas within weeks. Reports suggest that the FDA is seeking a foreign supplier to provide emergency imports until domestic ones can meet demand.
Legislation designed to give an early warning of drug shortages was passed to a government committee last summer.
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