I was a little worried about being able to write 30 posts in 30 days for NoMoChemo, but it seems like there's always something post-worthy going on in the pediatric cancer world. And as it happens, several emails showed up today regarding more legislation that affects childhood cancer treatments.
According to CureSearch, Congress is currently looking to renew two important laws that provide incentives and requirements for pharmaceutical companies to test drugs for use in children. Both the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) expire on October 1, 2012, and Congress is working NOW to reauthorize them before that date.
Both BPCA and PREA have helped make significant research advances in how drugs are used in children. But PREA has had no impact in the creation of new children's cancer medicines, and the hope is that it can be modified to help make more of a difference in the development of these life-saving drugs.
Here's how you can help: click either of these two links to quickly and easily notify your representatives of this issue. Both sites have automated systems with prepared letters that include proposed language to strengthen PREA so that it can be used to encourage companies to evaluate whether their new cancer drugs can provide better and more effective treatment options for children with cancer.
Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy
We really appreciate you taking action during the Methotrexate shortage and would love for you to lend your voices again. These children deserve it! Thanks, y'all - and pass it on!
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