Why vital chemotherapy drugs are in short supply in India
India faces a nationwide shortage of cisplatin and carboplatin, linked to higher global platinum input costs, West Asia shipping disruptions, and domestic price ceilings reducing supplier viability.
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What happened: India’s cisplatin and carboplatin shortage
India is facing a nationwide shortage of cisplatin and carboplatin, two widely used chemotherapy medicines. Hospitals and patients report delays, interruptions in treatment, and added financial strain.
Why cisplatin and carboplatin are important
Cisplatin and carboplatin are central to treating multiple solid tumours and some blood cancers. Weekly cisplatin supports chemoradiation schedules in cervical and head-and-neck cancers, and platinum-based drugs remain important in established childhood cancer protocols.
Reported causes behind the shortage
The shortage is reported to be driven by higher global costs for platinum raw material, shipping disruptions affecting routes through West Asia, and domestic price ceilings that reduced supplier viability. With rising platinum input costs, some generic manufacturers reportedly reduced output or paused production.
