Life-Saving Medicines Face Severe Shortage Across Nepal
Summary
Severe shortages of life-saving medicines, including anti-snake venom and cancer drugs, are putting patients at risk across Nepal. The Health Ministry says it is using reverse pooling and procurement plans, but hospitals and suppliers report persistent gaps in supply and access.
Key Points
- Patients across Nepal are facing dangerous shortages of essential medicines due to supply-chain and procurement problems.
- Anti-snake venom stocks are unevenly distributed, with hospitals in several areas already running out and patients being redirected elsewhere.
- Cancer medicines such as Carboplatin and Cisplatin remain hard to procure because old government price lists do not match current market prices.
- The Department of Drug Management has begun collecting nationwide shortage data to improve monitoring and regulation.
