Oncology Drug Shortages—What We Have Versus What We Expect to Have? ACritical Scenario of Pakistan

摘要

Drug shortages in tertiary care hospitals always limit the health system’sability to provide quality care to the patients. Immediately following theexisting shortage of 5 different oncology drugs in Pakistan, numerous patientsare finding themselves in a desperate state of no cure for their illness.Cardinal factors responsible for this unfortunate situation include interruptionin vendor supplies and regulatory authorities’ issues related to approval andpricing. Effective review of policies by regulatory authorities for availabilityof drugs will certainly avoid this miserable condition in the future and ensurecontinuation of high-quality care to patients by health care systems.