Breast cancer patients were not able to receive chemotherapy in the previous days, because health institutions were left without the drug "docetaxel". That cytostatic, which was missing from the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) at the end of last year, should be delivered in the middle of the next week, they replied to "Vijesta" from "Montefarm".
In the meantime, pharmacies have also run out of the drug "hardiance" against diabetes, and that drug should arrive by Monday at the latest.
Second shortage in two months
"Montefarm" said that during February they delivered quantities of the drug "docetaxel" that were higher than the average monthly consumption.
"The drug 'docetaxel' (Taxol) was delivered from the supplier to the Montefarma warehouse, according to the quantities they had, in the last month of February 2, then February 2 and February 5, 2. In accordance with the continuity of deliveries from suppliers during the month of February, we regularly supplied the Brezovik Special Hospital and KCCG with the drug docetaxel (which is the only drug that is supplied), and the last quantities of Montefarma were delivered by KCCG on 9/2 and 2024/21/2. Cumulatively, based on the data from the information system of our institution, during the month of February quantities were delivered that were higher than the average monthly consumption", the answer reads.
They pointed out that, according to the supplier's announcement, the new delivery to the "Montefarma" warehouse will be in the middle of next week, after which KCCG will be distributed immediately.
"We would like to remind you that we were informed at the end of 2023 that for the drug 'docetaxel', from the supplier that was selected during the previous year through a tender process, it will not be able to procure and deliver it until the end of the first quarter of 2024 due to a deficit in production. notified the authorities and through intensive negotiations with all other suppliers, both in Montenegro and in the region, managed to procure the necessary quantities from another authorized importer and for now there is no stoppage in procurement", claim the institution.
The drug "docetaxel" is used in the therapy of breast, ovarian and lung cancer. And at the end of last year, due to a shortage of medicine, patients could not receive scheduled chemotherapy at the KCCG Institute of Oncology for several days.
No diabetes therapy
This week, diabetes patients were also unable to pick up therapy in pharmacies. "Montefarm" confirmed that there is a shortage of the 10 and 25 milligram Jardiance medicine and announced that, according to the supplier's announcements, it should be delivered on Monday.
"Given that since the beginning of February, the mentioned drug, both strengths, has been in short supply at the supplier itself, smaller quantities according to previous stocks were available to patients until a few days ago. The drug does not have a direct parallel, however, it belongs to the group of antidiabetics that includes a large number of medications, similar or very similar in composition, which doctors can recommend or prescribe on prescription if the patient has not had enough therapy", they answered to "Vijesta" from "Montefarm.
They said that immediately after receiving it in the warehouse, they will distribute the medicine to the pharmacies according to the schedule.
"Also, over 120 pharmacies that are privately owned have a contract with the Health Insurance Fund, they issue prescription drugs, including the drug 'Jardiance'. However, when the drug is in short supply at the authorized importer, it is quite realistic to expect an immediate shortage in all pharmacies in Montenegro", the answer reads.
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