CHEMO SHORTAGE HITS CANCER PATIENTS AT JOBURG HOSPITAL

A shortage of a key chemotherapy drug has halted treatment for certain cancer patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.

Patients who need to be treated with Gemzar chemotherapy have been told that it is not available as the supplier has not been paid.

Gemzar is a chemotherapy drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.

In one case, a breast cancer patient's chemotherapy was halted in the middle of a multi-week treatment, which is extremely dangerous.

This chemo drug shortage is totally unacceptable as it is endangering the lives of vulnerable patients.

We need swift action to procure this drug and answers as to why medicine shortages continue to happen at Gauteng state hospitals.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health spokesman, April 23 2014

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