Cancer drugs up to 50% costlier in MP:Chemo costs up by ₹2,000-3,000 per session; platinum-based drugs still scarce

Cancer treatment costs in Madhya Pradesh have risen by up to 50%, making each chemotherapy session ₹2,000-3,000 costlier. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has increased prices of carboplatin and cisplatin, two key drugs used to treat ovarian, lung, breast, and head-neck cancers. Experts said patients often require 4-6 or more chemo cycles, adding thousands of rupees to overall treatment costs. Although manufacturers have resumed production, supplies are expected to normalize only after about a month. Meanwhile, cancer hospitals in the city have run out of chemotherapy drugs after the supply chain was disrupted by the war, prompting companies to halt production due to losses. Medicines used in 7 types have become expensive News related to the rising prices of petrol-diesel and crude oil are continuously in the headlines these days, but the impact of the US-Iran conflict is no longer limited to the oil market. It has also made cancer treatment difficult in India. The situation is such that about 70 out of every 100 patients may be affected by the shortage of essential medicines used in the treatment of 7 major types of cancer. Doctors focusing on changing treatment methods Experts have already spoken about the rising prices of medicines and their scarcity. Recently, in a discussion with Bhaskar, Dr. Tushar Palve, Medical Superintendent of Cama and Albless Hospital in Mumbai, stated that a severe shortage of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs is affecting the treatment of cancer patients. Due to disruptions in the supply of essential drugs like Cisplatin, Carboplatin, and Oxaliplatin, doctors are having to change standard treatment methods. Government medical colleges and hospitals have also been affected by this shortage. Although there is a shortage of platinum-containing drugs, other chemotherapy drugs are available. Therefore, even though all treatments have not completely stopped, it is affecting the treatment of some specific patients. Domestic pharmaceutical companies should also increase the supply of these drugs to end the shortage and reduce disruptions in patient treatment. possibility of up to 50% increase in drug prices Cisplatin has been the cheapest and most reliable drug for 30 years According to Bhopal oncologist Dr. T.P. Sahu, Cisplatin has been considered the most reliable drug for the past 20-30 years to enhance the effect of treatment with radiotherapy. Its use has been part of a long-established treatment methodology. This is also because while a drug like Cisplatin costs thousands of rupees for treatment, its alternative, immunotherapy, reaches millions of rupees, which is beyond the reach of common patients. For this reason, this drug is considered very important for patients from middle and low-income groups. Now its rates are also going to increase. Used in up to 70% of chemotherapy in the country
According to Dr. O.P. Singh, former professor at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Cisplatin is used in about 70% of chemotherapy regimens. In such a situation, its shortage is directly affecting patients on a large scale. This means that this drug is involved in some form in the treatment of approximately seven out of every ten patients, making its availability extremely crucial for the entire cancer treatment system. ‘Backbone’ of treatment for many major cancers Cisplatin and Carboplatin are considered among the most important chemotherapy drugs worldwide. They are used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including lung, oral, cervical, ovarian, breast, testicular, and gallbladder cancer. Oncologists consider them a major part of first-line therapy for many cancers. Both these medicines are under price control under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and DPCO. Despite the increase in the price of raw materials, companies were unable to raise the prices of medicines. The industry states that a large gap emerged between the production cost and the fixed selling price, due to which many companies reduced or stopped production. Used in up to 70% of chemotherapy in the country According to Dr. O.P. Singh, former professor at Gandhi Medical College, Cisplatin is used in about 70% of chemotherapy regimens. In such a situation, its shortage is directly affecting patients on a large scale. This means that this medicine is involved in some form in the treatment of approximately seven out of every ten patients, making its availability extremely crucial for the entire cancer treatment system.