Drug supply issues cause chemo delays for cancer patients

Cancer patients across the country are facing delays in chemotherapy treatment after the HSE admitted hospitals were experiencing difficulties in securing a regular supply of drugs.

The HSE says patients have had their treatment delayed by a short period “in a small number of situations”.

It says contingency arrangements are in place to ensure patients receive their chemotherapy in a timely manner and any delay will have no clinical impact on the treatment pathway for patients.

“This is a fluid situation that changes from hospital to hospital and from day to day,” it said in a statement.

At Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, a delay in the supply of some drugs for chemotherapy resulted in five patients having treatment postponed by a day, from Tuesday to Wednesday last week.

In one case, it did not suit the patient to return for treatment on the Wednesday and they instead returned for their treatment on Thursday, the HSE said. “The hospital expressed its regret for the delay, which was outside its control.”

“There have been no other episodes like this [ONE]at Drogheda. The hospital has two manufacturers available to it and has a contingency arrangement with the UK too, in the event of any issues in the Republic. The limited nature of the delays did not impact on the treatment programmes for the patients.”