Why vital chemotherapy drugs are in short supply in India
Prices for platinum—the core raw material used in cisplatin and carboplatin—more than doubled, making old price-controlled manufacturing rates financially unviable; additionally, shipping constraints through West Asia have restricted raw material imports from global suppliers. Despite a government move to raise price caps, the shortage persists
India is experiencing a nationwide shortage of two essential chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin. This crisis is caused by a surge in global platinum raw material costs, disruptions in shipping routes through West Asia, and price caps imposed domestically. Private hospitals are struggling more than government hospitals, with some reporting only six to eight weeks of stock left.
These drugs are crucial for treating various cancers, including ovarian, lung, and breast cancer. The price of platinum, the core raw material, has more than doubled, rendering old price-controlled manufacturing rates unprofitable. Geopolitical conflicts and shipping constraints have limited imports of raw materials from the primary global suppliers.
As a result, many generic manufacturers have temporarily halted or slowed production of these drugs. This shortage has led to treatment delays, increased costs, and additional stress for cancer patients, who may have to resort to less effective alternative treatments. Some government hospitals, like the Cancer Institute in Chennai and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru, still have adequate supplies, but other hospitals are facing significant challenges.
The government has temporarily increased the ceiling rates for these drugs by 50% to help restart domestic manufacturing lines.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
