Government’s Measures to Address the Shortage of Cancer Treatment Medicines
The Ministry of Health and Population has stated that it is continuously discussing possible immediate and long-term solutions to the shortage of some essential medicines required for cancer treatment. Physicians providing treatment and organizations working in the cancer sector have recently reported a significant deepening of the medicine shortage problem in the market. The government fixed the prices 11 years ago and states the inflation in drug prices has made suppliers unable to maintain supply. According to the decision set on Jestha 21, 2072 BS (June 4, 2015), the prices of these scarce medicines were fixed. Currently, the price of Carboplatin 450 mg is NPR 4,131, Cisplatin 50 mg NPR 532, and Oxaliplatin 50 mg NPR 4,036. However, due to the substantial increase in the cost of platinum and other raw materials, suppliers have complained that without price revision, they cannot import these medicines.
Addressing the worsening issue, Senior Cancer Specialist Prof. Dr. Sandhya Chapagain of Bir Hospital stated that the shortage of essential cancer medicines has been an increasing problem for approximately one and a half months. She explained, “The primary issue is the shortage of medicines like Carboplatin, Cisplatin, and Oxaliplatin, which are crucial for treating curable cancers.” Dr. Chapagain further added, “Due to the unavailability of these curative medicines, patients suffer immense pain during treatment, akin to being told they can only drink water when they have the desire to eat.”
Relatives of patients are rushing from one pharmacy to another searching for the medicines needed for treatment, but availability has recently decreased, as reported by Dr. Chapagain. The Nepal Cancer Relief Society has also noted a rapid increase in cancer patients’ relatives seeking assistance at its office. Deependra Bantawa, the society’s General Secretary, stated, “Patients have reported being forced to travel to India due to the medicine shortage.” He added, “The government appears to have made no efforts in this area; patients demand concessions such as discounted tickets for travel to India.”
Dr. Chapagain has suggested that since rising raw material prices have led to higher medicine costs, the government should revise the prices accordingly. The Ministry of Health and Population confirmed that, following various complaints from suppliers, it is engaged in daily discussions with stakeholders to find solutions. Ministry spokesperson Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari said, “Suppliers have expressed that due to increased raw material costs and existing minimum price fixes, they are unable to bring medicines to the market. Additionally, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have impacted supply.”
“We are considering various perspectives and are consulting the Department of Drug Administration and other agencies about not only price decisions but also alternative solutions,” he added. Previously, when medicine shortages occurred, the ministry instructed suppliers to provide medicines at low profit margins, but such arrangements proved unsustainable over time, leading to the current shortage. To ensure patients have easier access to medicines, the ministry is exploring cooperation options with national and international cancer organizations and friendly countries, according to Dr. Adhikari. “Discussions with friendly nations are underway to facilitate smoother medicine pricing and supply,” he said. “Efforts are focused not just on immediate decisions but on long-term solutions.” Authorities also stated that Nepal mainly imports cancer treatment medicines from India, followed by Bangladesh.