"Early warning" for managing cancer drugs

The Ministry of Health states that he established an early warning system for a better management of oncology drugs.

The Secretary of State, Adrian Pana, told for RADIO ROMANIA ACTUALITATI that the reduction mechanism of risk for patients to remain without treatment will link the Unifarm, the National Agency for Medicines and the Pharmaceutical Department of the Ministry.

"Manufacturers are required by law to notify within a certain time that they will no longer ensure the continuity in the market.

"On the other hand, there are alerts at European level, particularly from the European Medicines Agency or from similar agencies across the National Medicines Agency of possible discontinuities in the supply of certain drugs.

"So far, the National Medicines Agency received the respective information, the documents reached somewhere in the ministry in a certain time; they did not arrived very fast, so that they properly prepare for a possible problem.

"For two weeks we established this early warning system. I hope that in a short time to see that it works very fair," said Adrian Pana.

Subcommittees of oncology in the ministry will monthly gather information from hospitals regarding the stocks, the consumption and the medication needs for the next period in order to be set the quantities required for all patients.

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University