look news india
A very disturbing and serious news has come to light for millions of cancer patients and their families in the country. Currently, the Indian health and medical world is witnessing a huge shortage of vital life saving medicines used in the treatment of cancer. From big government hospitals to private cancer institutes of the country, the stock of these medicines is getting exhausted rapidly. Due to this sudden shortage of medicines, the treatment schedules and chemotherapy sessions of many patients have to be postponed, putting their lives in danger. Medical experts say that if the solution to this crisis is not found in time, it can prove to be extremely fatal for the health of the patients.
Cisplatin and carboplatin, the main chemotherapy drugs, have been eclipsed, prices are going to increase. At the center of this entire crisis are the two main salts most commonly used during chemotherapy – Cisplatin and Carboplatin. Both these medicines are considered the backbone for the treatment of many types of tumors including lung, ovarian and breast cancer. According to market sources and drug distributors, their supply chain has been completely disrupted due to global shortage of raw materials (APIs) and technical glitches at some key manufacturing units. This huge gap between demand and supply is now going to have a direct impact on their prices. There are speculations that pharmaceutical companies may increase the prices of these medicines significantly, which will further increase the burden of treatment on already financially distressed patients.
Health Ministry and drug regulator on alert, steps being taken to restore supply The echo of this serious shortage of cancer medicines across the country has now reached the administrative corridors as well. The Union Health Ministry and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) have called an emergency meeting with drug manufacturers and importers in view of the seriousness of the matter. The government is trying to immediately import these medicines or their raw materials from other countries so that the availability of medicines within the country can be ensured. Along with this, drug controllers of the states have also been instructed to keep strict vigil to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Hospital authorities are also considering the use of alternative medical methods and medicines so that no patient’s treatment is left midway.