Editorial | Essential vaccines are running out in Nepal. It’s time to act
Summary
Essential vaccines and life-saving medicines are running out across Nepal’s public health system, exposing gaps in pricing policy, procurement and disease prevention. The shortage is affecting cancer drugs, snakebite treatment, rabies vaccines, maternal supplements and HIV and tuberculosis services.
Key Points
- Vital chemotherapy drugs and essential vaccines are in short supply across Nepal’s public health facilities.
- Price caps on imported medicines are contributing to shortages and forcing patients to buy costly drugs from unregulated pharmacies.
- Shortages of anti-snake venom, anti-rabies vaccines, maternal supplements and HIV prevention services are putting vulnerable groups at risk.
- The editorial calls for dynamic pricing, centralised procurement, expanded adult vaccination and stronger funding for free healthcare.
