As the COVID-19 crisis has unfolded, kidney cancer patients have been impacted in many ways. Many patients have expressed concerns about kidney cancer drug supply issues as a result of the pandemic.
Below are statements from companies producing the most widely used treatments for advanced RCC. At this time, all information indicates that supply lines for kidney cancer treatments remain intact. We hope this provides additional reassurance.
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS): Opdivo and Yervoy
We are taking appropriate measures to ensure our patients continue to have access to our medicines. As part of our normal course of business, we have continuity plans in place to account for possible scenarios relating to our products or facilities. We are diligently monitoring manufacturing and supply facilities across the globe, and at this time we do not anticipate disruptions to the supply of our medicines due to COVID-19.
Eisai – Lenvima + Afinitor
During the coronavirus global outbreak, Eisai Inc. is monitoring our global supply chain resources to safeguard an adequate supply of our medicines. As of now, there are no issues with the supply of materials or their source and we do not anticipate any issues in the future as COVID-19 continues to expand. Eisai’s human health care mission puts patients at the center of everything we do and we will continue to help meet the needs of the healthcare and patient communities we seek to serve.
Exelixis: Cabometyx
Exelixis continues to monitor the global coronavirus situation closely and is implementing policies and procedures necessary to ensure patients continue to receive the medicines they need. There is no foreseen impact to availability of either of our commercial products (CABOMETYX® or COMETRIQ®) as we maintain adequate stock throughout the supply chain.
Merck: Keytruda
We continue to track the COVID-19 outbreak closely and are focused on the safety of our employees and their families, continuity of supply and clinical trials, and supporting communities affected by this outbreak. Our thoughts are with the people of all affected areas. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the many health care providers and volunteers who are doing so much to help affected patients and communities.
While supply and demand vary by product, we are not aware of any significant near-term impacts from COVID-19 on the production and supply of KEYTRUDA or Merck’s other medicines and vaccines. We have also assessed potential longer-term impacts of the outbreak. The situation is fluid, but at this point we do not anticipate impacts to our supply chain unless the outbreak were to continue for an extended period of time.
Pfizer: Sutent and Inlyta
Pfizer consistently and diligently monitors the supply of our medicines. We operate one of the most sophisticated supply chain systems in the industry, with over 40 Pfizer-owned sites and over 200 suppliers globally, which provides capacity and redundancy as needed.
Our manufacturing and supply chain professionals have been working non-stop to ensure that the global supply of Pfizer medicines continue to be available to patients. As of now, we have not seen a disruption in our supply chain, and all of our plants in impacted areas around the world are operational. We have implemented an unprecedented and comprehensive preparedness plan to control our site operations and will continue to provide timely updates if there is any new information to be shared.
Novartis: Votrient
As Novartis continues to closely monitor the coronavirus situation, our primary concern is the health and safety of our associates and patients globally. We will continue to deliver our medicines to patients around the world and we do not anticipate supply chain disruption at this time.
Genentech: Avastin
We are not currently experiencing supply issues for our portfolio of medicines related to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are closely monitoring and responding to the evolving situation.
We have robust business continuity and mitigation strategies in place and we’re working closely with health authorities; federal, state and local governments; and distribution partners to manage inventory levels equitably and best meet the needs of patients.
