CHITWAN: The country’s largest cancer treatment facility, BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan, is facing a severe shortage of key chemotherapy drugs, including Carboplatin and Cisplatin, due to a global supply disruption.
Head of the hospital’s Medical Oncology Department, Dr Guru Sharan Sah, said the shortage is affecting treatment plans and could reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy for patients.
He said the crisis has been triggered by a global shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients used in the production of these medicines.
The hospital treats around 200 chemotherapy patients daily, and doctors say the unavailable drugs cannot be easily replaced with alternatives.
Hospital authorities warned that patient outcomes and recovery rates could be impacted if supplies are not restored soon.
According to officials, stocks of Cisplatin were exhausted months ago, while Carboplatin supplies ran out earlier this month, raising concern among both doctors and patients.
Acting Executive Director Dr Umesh Nepal said the hospital has informed the Ministry of Health and Population and sought support through international channels, including the World Health Organization.
He added that limited new supplies are expected from Bangladesh in the coming months.
Doctors have also expressed concern over patients sourcing medicines through unofficial channels, warning that improperly stored or unregistered drugs could pose serious health risks.
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