Acute shortage of platinum-based drugs disrupts chemotherapy treatment across Nepal
Summary
Nepal faces an acute shortage of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs like carboplatin, disrupting treatment for many cancer patients who struggle to obtain medicines amid price caps and supply issues.
Key Points
- Nepal is experiencing a critical shortage of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs including carboplatin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin.
- The shortage is due to increased raw material prices, reduced production, and government-imposed price caps that discourage suppliers.
- Cancer patients and their families face difficulties obtaining medicines, often resorting to black market purchases at inflated prices.
- Hospitals and health authorities are urging government action to revise price caps and resume drug supply to ensure effective cancer treatment.
