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14 August 2026

Chemotherapy drug shortage in India

The topic involves a specific intervention by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) regarding essential medicine availability, which directly relates to public health governance and welfare policy implementation.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • India is facing a nationwide shortage of essential chemotherapy drugs: cisplatin and carboplatin.
  • Causes of shortage: Increased global costs of platinum (the core raw material), shipping disruptions in West Asia, and domestic price caps making manufacturing financially unviable.
  • Impact: Treatment delays and interruptions for cancer patients; potential compromise of curative outcomes in solid tumours and childhood cancers.
  • Cisplatin and carboplatin are indispensable for treating ovarian, lung, head and neck, and various childhood cancers.
  • Government response: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) increased ceiling prices for cisplatin (from ₹7.26 to ₹10.89 per mL) and carboplatin (from ₹60.49 to ₹90.74 per mL) on June 12.
  • Regional variation: Government hospitals in some states (e.g., Kerala, Delhi) report stable supplies, while others (e.g., Telangana) and private hospitals face significant shortages.
  • Proposed long-term strategies: Creation of a national oncology drug security framework, strategic reserves, diversified domestic manufacturing, and an early-warning system for supply chain disruptions.

Questions

  1. The recent shortage of essential chemotherapy drugs highlights vulnerabilities in India's pharmaceutical supply chain. Discuss the need for a national oncology drug security framework to ensure uninterrupted access to life-saving medicines. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Examine the role of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) in balancing affordable healthcare with the economic viability of drug manufacturing. How can India mitigate the impact of global geopolitical disruptions on the domestic availability of essential medicines? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which body is responsible for fixing the ceiling prices of essential medicines in India?

  2. Cisplatin and carboplatin, which recently faced supply shortages in India, are primarily used in the treatment of:

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-14/chemotherapy-drug-shortage-in-india