Health ministry comes clean on shortage of cancer meds

The health ministry today said that Zoledronic Acid, a medicine used by patients undergoing chemotherapy, has been out of stock just after the first week of January 2014

Opposition MP Claudio Grech this week pointed out that if the supplier failed to deliver on time the ministry should find alternative ways to make the medicine available.

The ministry said that the Central Procurement and Supplies Unit (CPSU) has a pending order with the current supplier that had to be delivered on 23 of November 2013, with a subsequent order for a half year stock.

"The supplier is late in delivery and he has been hastened regularly by the department," the statement said.

On 22 January the department was informed by the supplier, (Drug Sales Ltd.) that the product was released internationally and that they were waiting for the exact delivery date with an indication that it may be round the 1st or 2nd week of February 2014. 

Moreover, on 24 January the department was informed that a part order of 500 vials (approximately 3 months stock) will be sent to Malta.  The release on the remaining part order of 600 vials is being anticipated to be in March 2014 however the supplier has promised that they are trying to hasten the process.

There are 188 approved patients on this medicine and the department has suggested the use of an alternative, Sodium Pamidronate injections, which is available on the government formulary list, and which have been previously used for the same indication.

Sodium Pamidronate is a Bisphosphonate just like Zoledronic Acid and both are indicated for the treatment of documented bone metastasis in patients with solid tumours and bone lesions associated with multiple myeloma.

The ministry added that some clinicians have administered the alternative and other clinicians preferred skipping a dose to wait for the stock being delivered in February.  

 "The department is informed that none of the patients were asked to buy it.  In fact the government also tried to do a local market research and less than 8 vials were available for use, an amount which would have not solved the issue for the 188 patients when the government's mission and vision is equity all throughout."