Cancer patients in Marrakech are currently facing significant challenges in obtaining Zometa, a critical medication designed to prevent bone-related complications in patients with advanced cancers. Reports indicate that this vital drug has been unavailable at Ibn Tofail Hospital for approximately six months, severely impacting those who rely on it for their treatment. An appeal from affected patients and their families highlights the urgent need for this medication, as many are unable to afford purchasing it from private sources, leaving them in a state of uncertainty regarding their treatment options.
Zometa, which contains the active ingredient zoledronic acid, plays a crucial role in supportive care for adults suffering from advanced cancer that affects the bones. This medication is instrumental in reducing the risk of severe complications such as fractures and spinal compression, and it can also diminish the necessity for radiation therapies or surgical interventions related to bone issues. In Marrakech, Zometa is primarily distributed through a department linked to the Oncology and Hematology Hospital, which operates under the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, although it is physically located within Ibn Tofail Hospital.
According to sources familiar with the hospital's administration, the ongoing shortage of Zometa is attributed to complications in the procurement process. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has been attempting to launch public tenders to secure supplies for this essential medication; however, the response from suppliers has been disappointing. A representative from the hospital disclosed that while tenders are initiated, there are often no submissions from pharmaceutical companies, leading to a prolonged absence of the drug. This situation has exacerbated the concerns of patients who need Zometa as part of their cancer treatment regimen.
Furthermore, industry insiders have indicated that the reluctance of distribution companies to engage in public sector tenders is partly due to broader issues within the pharmaceutical market. Some laboratories have scaled back the production of certain medicines following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pressure of lower medicine prices has diminished profit margins for pharmaceutical companies, making it less appealing for them to participate in such tenders. For cancer patients, however, these procurement issues have led to instability and anxiety regarding their access to necessary treatment. As of now, authorities have not provided any clear timeline for when the supplies of Zometa at Ibn Tofail Hospital might resume, leaving patients and their families in a precarious position.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
