PMA Demands Urgent Action on Cancer Medicine Shortage in Pakistan

Cancer Patients in Pakistan Face Critical Drug Shortages: PMA Calls for Immediate Government Action

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has sounded the alarm over a worsening crisis in cancer care across the country. Thousands of patients are struggling to access life-saving medicines, with shortages forcing many to turn to smuggled or unregulated drugs that pose serious health risks.

Oncologists report that both conventional and advanced therapies—including treatments for breast, lung, bladder, colorectal, and cervical cancers—are increasingly unavailable through legal channels. Key medicines such as OncoTice for bladder cancer and modern immunotherapy drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab remain out of reach for most patients.

The PMA has described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, not just a supply chain issue. Patients are being driven to informal markets where drug authenticity and storage conditions cannot be verified, raising concerns about treatment effectiveness and safety.

One of the main causes of the shortage is the delay in official price notifications by the federal cabinet. Although the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has finalized prices for several critical medicines, the lack of formal approval prevents pharmaceutical companies from importing and marketing them legally. This regulatory bottleneck has created a vacuum now filled by the grey market.

Healthcare experts warn that without proper cold chain monitoring, smuggled medicines may lose potency or cause harmful side effects. The PMA insists that urgent corrective measures are needed to restore supply and protect patients from unsafe alternatives.

The association has urged the Ministry of National Health Services and DRAP to expedite regulatory processes, facilitate imports, and ensure affordability of oncology drugs. It has also called for a transparent inquiry into the delays and strict action against profiteers exploiting the crisis.

Unless immediate steps are taken, the continued unavailability of essential cancer medicines could worsen outcomes for thousands of patients nationwide. The PMA’s appeal highlights the urgent need for government intervention to safeguard lives and restore trust in Pakistan’s healthcare system.