List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Nov. 18, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The article examined how drug shortages are affecting Oregon. It quoted doctors who admitted they are rationing drugs, parceling out sub-optimal doses, as well as a cancer patient who showed up for therapy, only to learn his doctors had no medicine for him, and weren’t sure when it would arrive.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Checked with University of Utah Drug Information Service for info on drug shortages compared to prior years.
Explain types of human sources used.
Spoke with doctors, patients, experts, drug company representatives.
Results:
Not sure if there’s a direct cause-effect, but a Oregon U.S. Senator, Jeff Merkley, took a more aggressive stance on this after the article came out; he told us through a spokeswoman that he’d read the story, and follow-ups, very carefully. We received numerous e-mails and calls from people who knew nothing about the problem, or who knew about it and felt it had been under-covered.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
no
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Find local people who are dealing with national issues.