After a long pause, Pakistan resumes imports of low-cost cancer drugs from Russia
Description:
The end of cancer patients" plight is finally in sight, as Pakistan has resumed the import of cheap cancer medicine from Russia after a long hiatus.
The import of affordable cancer treatment medicine was halted earlier this year in February after banks stopped offering Letters of Credit (LCs) to traders as a result of Russia"s invasion of Ukraine.
According to one of the traders, importers have recently received bank approval for the LCs, and the Russian drugs is expected to be available commercially in the first week of August.
The trader added that prices will be slightly stronger this time due to the Pakistani Rupee"s depreciation against the US Dollar. However, the prices will be significantly lower than those of other countries" medicines.
Another trader stated that monoclonal antibodies (MABs) for cancer treatment, such as Trastuzumab, Rituximab, and Bevacizumab, are imported from Russia at half the official price.
To avoid a similar shortage of essential medicines in the future, the trader suggested that the Pakistani government reduce its reliance on Russia for cancer medicine and sign agreements with Cuba, Iran, and Belarus - countries producing affordable cancer medicine.
