Essential medicine to treat cancer patients in short supply since April. Hospitals are already implementing contingency plans

Since mid-April, a crucial drug for treating cancer has faced a supply shortage, and stock replenishments are only scheduled to begin in June. Hospitals such as Guimarães and the Alto Ave Local Health Unit have already been forced to adjust the therapeutic regimens of some patients and implement contingency plans.

According to information obtained by Renascença, at least 11 special use authorizations were granted for this medicine with labeling in a foreign language, which demonstrates an urgent demand in several hospitals to replenish their stocks.

Stock replenishment is only scheduled for June 11th by the Accord laboratory and possibly only from July 1st by Hikma.

Oncologist Paulo Cortes clarifies that the medication in question is Fluorouracil, an injectable solution of 50 mg/ml, which is frequently used in various combination chemotherapy regimens.

“It is a medicine that is really an integral part of many therapeutic regimens. For example, for colon and rectal cancer, whether in the early stages or, above all, in more advanced stages. It is an important medicine in some cases of breast cancer. In short, it is transversal to several treatment schemes”, he tells the radio.

The specialist warns of the seriousness of the rupture of this medicine, considering it “cheap and effective”. Although there are some alternatives, such as the oral medication Capecitabine, these are not viable in all cases, especially because there are treatment regimens planned based on Fluorouracil, which cannot be easily replaced.

The oncologist points to the affordable price as one of the reasons for the frequent ruptures of this medicine, as it has already lost its patent and is produced in third countries. This situation not only affects Portugal, but also the rest of Europe and the world.

“We cannot be dependent on suppliers who can stop supplying these drugs. Anyway, I don’t think it’s admissible. I think there should be a strategy designed at a global level here”, argues Paulo Cortes.