• Access to right meds crucial for effective treatment, shortage poses serious threat  
• Critical shortage of approx. 15 essential meds, donations insufficient: Dr. Jayasekara 
• Hospital facing financial challenge as PET scanner suppliers seek biweekly payments 
• Govt.’s negligence worsened shortage of vital meds: AIPPOA
• SPC confirms existing medicine shortages, including certain cancer meds

In the heart of Jaffna, Shanthi Arumugam clings to hope in the dimly-lit room of the Oncology Ward. Her husband, a pillar of strength for the family, now battles a relentless foe – cancer. The prescribed chemotherapy drugs, vital for his survival, have become a scarce commodity at local pharmacies. Shanthi’s eyes mirror the anguish of countless caregivers, grappling not just with the disease but also with the acute shortage of life-saving cancer medications.

In Trincomalee, Ravindra Kumar faces a similar ordeal as his teenage son fights leukaemia. The once-bustling pharmacies now echo the scarcity of essential cancer medications, leaving Ravindra in a desperate search for a cure that remains just out of reach. The emotional toll on the family is palpable as they navigate the labyrinth of pharmacies, hoping for a breakthrough in the availability of the critical medications.

In the southern city of Matara, Piyumi Fernando holds her breath as she watches over her brother, who is battling a rare form of cancer that requires a specific targeted therapy. The exorbitant prices of these specialised drugs in the private market force Piyumi and her family into financial turmoil, making the already-challenging fight against cancer even more daunting.

A senior oncologist in Colombo, who wished to remain anonymous, shed light on the gravity of the situation. “Cancer is unforgiving and timely access to the right medications is crucial for effective treatment. The shortage of cancer drugs poses a serious threat to the lives of patients who are already navigating the complexities of this formidable disease,” he stated, emphasising on the urgent need for a comprehensive solution.

As the nation grapples with an economic crisis, the funds allocated for cancer drug imports dwindle, amplifying the challenges faced by patients and their families. The scarcity of these vital medications transcends geographical boundaries, weaving a common thread of despair and resilience among those touched by cancer.

In the stories of Shanthi, Ravindra, and Piyumi, cancer emerges not just as a medical diagnosis but as a formidable adversary exacerbated by the scarcity of essential drugs. Their narratives underscore the urgent need for a concerted effort to address the cancer drug shortage, ensuring that every individual battling this formidable disease has access to the treatment they need to fight for their lives.

Sensitivity of cancer treatment 

The revelations from a senior consultant medical doctor shed light on the harsh realities faced by both patients and medical professionals in the realm of cancer treatment. The doctor, who chose to remain anonymous, acknowledged the delicate nature of dealing with cancer patients and the imperative of forewarning them about potential medicine shortages before commencing treatments. The fear and frustration experienced by patients, often exacerbated by shortages, can lead to misguided blame on medical practitioners if the worst were to happen.

The doctor emphasised on the sensitivity of the cancer domain within the health sector, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining an uninterrupted supply of medications. The stark reality laid bare is that financial means and influence often become determinants of survival in the face of medicine shortages, leaving vulnerable and less-privileged patients to bear the brunt of the crisis.

In a candid admission, Apeksha Hospital Director Dr. Aruna Jayasekara corroborated the doctor’s account, shedding light on the hospital’s reliance on the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) and the significant contribution from donors to fill the gaps in medicine availability. 

This dependence on external sources points to a systemic issue that requires comprehensive solutions to ensure a sustainable and equitable supply of vital medications, particularly in the context of life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

The intertwining narratives of medical professionals and patients paint a poignant picture of a healthcare system grappling with challenges that extend beyond the clinical realm. The plea for an uninterrupted supply of cancer drugs becomes not just a matter of medical necessity but a moral imperative, calling for systemic changes to safeguard the lives of those facing the formidable battle against cancer.

Challenges at Apeksha 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Dr. Jayasekara shed light on the critical shortage of approximately 15 essential medicines. While the hospital does receive donations to alleviate the situation, there remains a significant delay in obtaining these vital medications. Dr. Jayasekara expressed optimism about the imminent arrival of the crucial drugs, acknowledging the ongoing efforts to address the scarcity.

However, he also highlighted a pressing concern regarding the PET scanner at the hospital, stating that the suppliers of the PET scanner required payments every two weeks, creating a financial challenge for the hospital. Complicating matters further, the Treasury releases payments for bills that are two months old, resulting in a mismatch between the hospital’s financial obligations and the Government’s payment schedule.

Adding another layer to the issue, the local agent of the PET scanner supplier insists on payments every two months. This misalignment in payment cycles poses a significant risk to the seamless operation of the PET scanner at the hospital. Given that Apeksha Hospital relies on only two PET scanners, the uninterrupted functioning of the machines becomes paramount for providing timely and accurate diagnostic services to patients.

Dr. Jayasekara stressed on the importance of sustaining operations at the Maharagama facility, underscoring the critical role the PET scanner plays in the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities. The financial intricacies and delays in payment highlight the challenges faced not only in securing essential medications but also in maintaining and supporting crucial medical equipment.

As the hospital navigates these financial hurdles, the broader implications for patient care and the timely diagnosis of conditions like cancer become apparent. Dr. Jayasekara’s comments shed light on the intricate web of challenges faced by healthcare institutions, calling for a comprehensive approach to address both medicine shortages and financial constraints to ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare services.

He emphasised on the severity of the situation, stating that the hospital was in dire need of donations, especially for medicines currently in short supply. He also underscored the dynamic nature of medicine availability, highlighting the fluctuating status where a medicine present today may be unavailable the next day and outlined the hospital’s dependency on continuous assistance, acknowledging that the operational capacity of Apeksha largely relied on donations from both local and international donors.

The challenges faced by Apeksha Hospital are indicative of a broader crisis in the healthcare system, particularly concerning the availability of essential medications. The gravity of the situation becomes more pronounced when considering the condition of cancer wards in regional hospitals, which Dr. Jayasekara described as the worst-hit. 

Threat to patients’ survival

All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (AIPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda painted a grim picture of the medicines situation in the country, alleging that the Government’s negligence had exacerbated the crisis, with a significant number of vital medicines, including those crucial for cancer patients, running out. Gankanda listed several medicines, ranging from methylphenidate to various cancer medications, that were currently unavailable in the country, terming the situation as “very dangerous”.

He stressed on the life-and-death nature of the shortage, emphasising that the unavailability of these medicines posed a serious threat to patients’ survival. He called on the Government to take immediate action to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medications, asserting that it was a fundamental duty to safeguard the health and well-being of the citizens.

State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Managing Director Dinusha Dassanayake acknowledged the shortage and confirmed that some medicines, including certain cancer medications, were currently unavailable. 

The admission underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and swift measures to address the medicine shortage crisis, as it directly impacts the lives of patients relying on these medications for their survival.