Chemotherapy Drug Shortage at IGMC Cancer Hospital Leaves Patients in Distress
IGMC, Shimla
Shimla, June 25 – A severe shortage of chemotherapy drugs at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Cancer Hospital in Shimla has left cancer patients in a dire situation, with many forced to rely on costly market alternatives or, as they say, “the mercy of God.” Despite holding HIMCARE and Ayushman Bharat health cards, patients claim they are unable to access essential cancer treatment medications at the hospital.
Patients and their caregivers expressed frustration, saying that while the health cards were once helpful, more than half of the prescribed chemotherapy medicines are now unavailable at the hospital. “If the cards aren’t helping us when we need them most, what’s the point? The government should either ensure medicine availability or stop making empty promises,” said one patient.
Many patients reported having to spend tens of thousands of rupees out-of-pocket to buy chemotherapy drugs from private pharmacies. Some injections, they said, cost over ₹40,000 and have been out of stock at the hospital for months.
Despite government claims of providing free cancer treatment, even basic chemotherapy injections are reportedly missing from IGMC’s supply.
According to hospital sources, delayed payments from the government to vendors for nearly a year have disrupted the drug supply chain. Even Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are meant to provide affordable medicines, have failed to stock the required chemotherapy drugs.
Patients and their families have appealed to the state government for immediate intervention, demanding timely access to life-saving medicines and relief from the mounting financial burden.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
