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Delhi Cancer Hospital Faces Severe Drug Shortage: 47 Essential Medicines Out of Stock, Patients Forced to Buy Outside
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News18•24-09-2026, 19:05
Delhi Cancer Hospital Faces Severe Drug Shortage: 47 Essential Medicines Out of Stock, Patients Forced to Buy Outside
- •Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) is experiencing a critical shortage, with 47 out of 178 essential cancer medicines unavailable as per its September Essential Drug List.
- •Patients and their families report being forced to purchase expensive, unavailable medicines from outside the hospital, adding to their financial burden.
- •Many patients are also compelled to get essential tests done at private pathology labs, spending 8,000 to 11,000 rupees per test due to the hospital's inability to conduct them.
- •Key unavailable medicines include Lorlatinib, Osimertinib, Bevacizumab, Irinotecan, Palbociclib, Tamoxifen, and Trastuzumab, impacting crucial cancer treatments.
- •Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh has acknowledged the complaint regarding medicine availability and stated that an investigation is underway, promising action based on the findings.
Key Questions Answered
According to the hospital's September Essential Drug List, 47 out of 178 essential cancer treatment medicines are currently out of stock, including critical drugs like Lorlatinib, Osimertinib, Bevacizumab, Irinotecan, Palbociclib, Tamoxifen, and Trastuzumab.
Patients and their families report being forced to visit private pathology labs outside the hospital for essential tests, where they must spend between 8,000 and 11,000 rupees for a single test.
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh stated that a formal complaint regarding the availability of medicines has been received and an investigation is currently underway to take appropriate action.
