Cancer drug shortage, price hikes threaten patients

Colombo, June 5 (Daily Mirror) - Cancer patients and their families are facing severe difficulties due to the ongoing shortage of several essential cancer drugs, including Neupogen S.C., and the exorbitant prices of medicines available outside the state hospital system, Senior Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Trade Union Alliance Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

He said shortages of cancer drugs have persisted for some time and alleged that the lack of supplies in government hospitals has created opportunities for a racket involving the sale of unregistered cancer medicines at inflated prices.

Dr. Sanjeewa claimed that the quality of some unregistered cancer drugs available through external suppliers is questionable. He noted that certain cancer patients are compelled to spend more than Rs. 500,000 per month to obtain the medicines they need, placing an unbearable financial burden on patients and their families.

He further said that the recent increase in medicine prices across the market has also affected cancer drugs, making treatment even more costly for those battling the disease.

Dr. Sanjeewa urged the Health and Finance Ministries to pay immediate attention to the issue and introduce a special relief programme for patients undergoing long-term treatment amid the prevailing economic challenges.

He warned that continued shortages and escalating costs could seriously jeopardise the health and lives of cancer patients who depend on uninterrupted access to life-saving medication.