Cancer drugs are not available at state-run hospitals. Elsewhere, they are sold at steep prices
Summary
Cancer patients are being forced to buy platinum-based chemotherapy drugs from private pharmacies at steep prices because state-run hospitals are out of stock. The shortage has disrupted treatment, hit poor families hardest, and prompted the government to prepare a price-adjustment proposal.
Key Points
- State-run hospital pharmacies lack platinum-based chemotherapy medicines such as carboplatin, cisplatin and oxaliplatin, forcing patients to buy them privately at much higher prices.
- Doctors and hospital officials say the shortage began after raw-material costs rose and suppliers stopped importing the drugs at government-capped prices.
- The Department of Drug Administration says it is preparing a proposal to adjust medicine prices, which must be approved by the Cabinet and published in the Nepal Gazette.
- Cancer treatment costs are especially burdensome for poor families, many of whom are taking loans or mortgaging property to pay for medicines.
