Context
Recently, patients and hospitals across India reported shortages of cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, important platinum-based chemotherapy medicines. Disrupted platinum supplies, rising input costs and controlled medicine prices have affected domestic production and timely cancer treatment.
Explanation
- Cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are platinum-based chemotherapy medicines for cancers of the lungs, head and neck, ovaries, cervix, testis and digestive system.
- They form cross-links in the cancer cell’s DNA, blocking replication and causing cell death.
- India makes the finished medicines but imports platinum and related active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); South Africa is the leading producer, with supplies also routed through the UAE and Tanzania.
- West Asian conflict, disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and costly logistics have restricted raw-material availability.
- Platinum prices also rose on demand from the jewellery, automobile, electronics, semiconductor and clean-energy industries.
- The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) fixes ceiling prices under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and in June 2026 raised those of cisplatin and carboplatin by 50% for six months.
- Remedies include diversified suppliers, domestic API capacity, shortage monitoring and buffer stocks — an inexpensive medicine helps no one if it is unavailable.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040