Russia is facing a shortage of a vital medication for cancer patients
In Russia, patients with breast and pancreatic cancer are facing a shortage of the anticancer drug "Abraxane," which has no fully equivalent alternatives. It is virtually impossible to find it in either hospitals or pharmacies.
This is reported by Russian media.
According to available information, as early as 2024, Russian authorities halted centralized procurement of the drug using funds from the Mandatory Health Insurance (MHI) Fund. After that, “Abraxane” began to rapidly disappear from the pharmacy network.
Despite the shortage, doctors continue to prescribe the drug to patients, recommending that they find it on their own.
In particular, a Moscow resident named Oksana said she tried to find “Abraxane” for her husband, who has pancreatic cancer. She was only able to locate the drug in a few pharmacies across different regions, where only a few vials remained.
One vial costs about 75,000 rubles, but at least two are needed for a full course of treatment.
According to volunteer Nadiya, who helps cancer patients find medications, people often find themselves without the necessary drug on the eve of their chemotherapy course.
“People often find themselves without Abraxane before their scheduled chemotherapy. The situation is hopeless,” she noted.
Experts emphasize that the lack of the drug can critically affect the effectiveness of cancer treatment.
Additionally, Russian authorities are planning massive layoffs of public sector employees amid a sharp rise in the state budget deficit. As of April 1, the number of employees recommended for dismissal reached 105,147. These figures are provided by Rostrud.
In Russia, at least 11 regions are reporting delays in the payment of salaries and bonuses to school teachers.
