Bucharest 26th June 2013: Thousands of cancer patients in Romania struggle every day to find the drugs their life depends on. The country has been facing a severe cancer-drug shortage over the last two years as more than 20 types of medicine, especially the cheap ones, are very difficult or impossible to obtain.
The incidence of cancer in European countries is increasing, the top three cancers as a number of cases being breast, colorectal and prostate. There are wide variations between European countries regarding resources allocated to cancer therapy and absorption of new oncology drugs. Romania is among the countries with the lowest spending for cancer treatment in EU although cancer incidence is comparable with other Eastern European countries. Cases are treated in a day hospital and inpatient settings, and they are usually associated with intravenous chemotherapy and surgical procedures, resulting in a large number of cases.
Cancer patients have the right to receive free medication, according to Romanian law. In reality, though, many of them must find other ways to purchase the drugs they need, on many occasions through friends or relatives who are travelling abroad. Statistics show nearly 1,300 people are currently on the waiting list, waiting to get the green light to start treatment.
“With a 2013 budget accounting for barely 4.5 percent of gross domestic product, less than half the EU average, Romania's health system is in a critical condition. For this reason the Romanian state should encourage the development of private medical companies who would offer quality services, access to medication and also pay income tax, thus funding the national budget”, said Zahal Levy, President of MediHelp International.
As shown by the statistics,Romania’s health-care system is underfunded and its drug regulation is inadequate. Information suggests that the list of anti-cancer drugs covered by the state health insurance system has not been updated in the last five years.
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