Pakistan’s Cancer Drug Crisis: Quality Concerns and Rising Costs Threaten Patient Care

Pakistan’s Cancer Drug Crisis: Patients Caught Between Poor Quality and High Costs

A Growing Health Emergency Cancer cases in Pakistan are rising rapidly, but the country’s ability to provide safe, effective, and affordable treatment is faltering. Patients and health advocates are sounding the alarm over two critical issues: the questionable quality of generic chemotherapy drugs and the steep surge in medicine prices.

Concerns Over Drug Quality Many patients fear that the chemotherapy drugs they receive may be either too weak to fight cancer or dangerously potent, causing severe side effects. These concerns intensified after global reports highlighted quality failures in generic cancer medications. Despite reassurances from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP)—which claims to enforce strict quality checks and post-marketing surveillance—skepticism remains widespread.

Local Manufacturing Gains, But Trust Lags Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector has made strides in producing essential cancer treatments locally. Companies like Pharmasol, Oncogen Pharma, and BF Biosciences now manufacture drugs for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and leukemia. This shift has reduced dependence on imports and improved supply chain stability. However, doubts about quality control and regulatory oversight continue to cloud public confidence.

Affordability Crisis Fueled by Policy Changes A recent policy removing price caps on non-essential medicines has triggered a wave of price hikes. Pharmaceutical companies now set their own rates, making life-saving cancer drugs unaffordable for many. Critics argue that this deregulation has placed treatment out of reach for ordinary citizens, especially those without insurance or financial support.

Systemic Gaps in Healthcare Infrastructure Pakistan’s healthcare system is under immense pressure. The absence of a national cancer registry hampers effective planning and resource allocation. Drug shortages are common, exacerbated by regulatory delays and the exit of multinational pharmaceutical firms from the local market. Hospitals and clinics are struggling to cope with rising demand and limited resources.

Urgent Reforms Needed Experts are calling for a comprehensive national strategy to address the crisis. Key recommendations include:

• Strengthening drug quality assurance protocols
• Reinstating responsible price controls
• Expanding local pharmaceutical capacity
• Establishing a national cancer registry

Without decisive action, Pakistan risks deepening its cancer care crisis, leaving thousands of patients without access to safe and affordable treatment.

Conclusion: A Call for Accountability and Innovation The fight against cancer in Pakistan demands more than medical intervention—it requires systemic reform, transparent regulation, and a commitment to equity. As the burden of disease grows, so must the resolve to ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve.