Cancer Drug Shortage in India: Why Cisplatin and Carboplatin Are Disappearing from Pharmacies

A serious shortage of two of the most widely used and affordable chemotherapy medicines—Cisplatin and Carboplatin—has emerged across India over the past few weeks, causing concern among cancer specialists and patients alike.

Doctors say the supply crisis is affecting treatment plans for thousands of cancer patients who rely on these life-saving drugs.

According to oncologists, the problem stems from a sharp increase in the cost of raw materials, driven by global geopolitical tensions and disruptions in supply chains.

At the same time, pharmaceutical manufacturers are unable to significantly raise the prices of these medicines because they fall under government-regulated pricing rules.

Dr. Shyam Agarwal, Head of Medical Oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, said the hospital’s pharmacy has completely exhausted its stock of both medicines.

He explained that nearly 70% of the patients visiting his clinic require either Cisplatin or Carboplatin as part of their treatment regimen.

These drugs are commonly prescribed for several cancers, including oral, lung, cervical, oesophageal, ovarian, and breast cancers.

“As supplies have dried up, patients are being forced to visit multiple pharmacies in search of the medicines,” he said, adding that oncologists in several other cities are reporting similar difficulties.

The situation is no different at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Dr.

Abhishek Shankar confirmed that the shortage has persisted for at least two weeks.

Another cancer specialist from Delhi noted that lower-strength doses have almost vanished from the market, while limited stocks of higher-dose variants can still be found in a few locations.

The crisis is being felt nationwide. In Mumbai, Dr. Mohan Menon, Medical Oncologist at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, said that shortages are affecting almost all platinum-based chemotherapy drugs.

He pointed to the steep rise in platinum prices as the primary reason behind the disruption.

“Back in mid-2023, platinum was available at around ₹2,700 per gram. Today, the price has surged beyond ₹7,800 per gram,” he explained.

The shortage has now spread throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain. Wholesalers and distributors are rapidly depleting their inventories, leaving retailers with little or no stock to offer patients.

A leading pharmacy owner in Delhi said that most medicine stores across the country currently do not have access to these chemotherapy drugs.

According to him, many distributors are conserving whatever stock remains and are choosing to sell directly to patients rather than supplying retail pharmacies.

Industry experts say the rising cost of raw materials has affected several healthcare products since the escalation of tensions in West Asia, particularly medicines and products that depend on petrochemical inputs.

However, manufacturers of Cisplatin and Carboplatin have been unable to offset their growing costs through price hikes.

The reason lies in India’s Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), which governs the pricing of essential medicines.

Under these regulations, manufacturers can increase prices only within limits linked to annual changes in the wholesale price index, restricting their ability to respond to sudden spikes in production costs.

Meanwhile, platinum prices have been climbing steadily in global markets due to multiple factors.

Supply shortages from South Africa—the world’s largest producer of platinum—have tightened availability, while demand has increased because of the metal’s growing use in the automobile industry and green hydrogen technologies.

Experts say the ongoing crisis in West Asia has further aggravated the situation.

One industry source, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that a significant portion of India’s platinum imports comes through Gulf nations that have been impacted by the regional conflict.

The United Arab Emirates remains India’s largest supplier of platinum, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total imports.

Any disruption in trade routes or supply channels from the region therefore has a direct impact on the availability and cost of platinum-based medicines in India.

With demand for these chemotherapy drugs remaining high and supplies becoming increasingly scarce, doctors are urging authorities and manufacturers to find a solution quickly.

For many cancer patients, delays in treatment can have serious consequences, making the restoration of supplies a matter of urgent public health importance.