An ITAK parliamentarian has raised concerns about critical shortages of Filgrastim, an essential cancer treatment drug, at government hospitals, noting that patients are being forced to purchase the medication privately at significantly inflated prices.

ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has urged the government to address an urgent shortage of Filgrastim at state-run medical facilities, particularly at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. The medication, which is vital for chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation treatments, is reportedly unavailable in adequate quantities at multiple government hospitals, according to concerns brought directly to the parliamentarian by cancer patients and their families.

With government supplies depleted, patients have been forced to purchase Filgrastim from private pharmacies at prices ranging from Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 23,000 per injection, while similar drugs like Neupogen are being sold for between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000 in some areas. This represents a substantial financial burden for families already struggling with the costs associated with cancer care. Rasamanickam questioned whether such out-of-pocket expenses were sustainable for vulnerable patient populations.

Raising the matter in Parliament, Rasamanickam sought specific information from Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa regarding the scope of the shortage, affected hospitals, current inventory levels, and procurement timelines. The Minister acknowledged the supply gap and promised that immediate measures would resolve the crisis within one week, adding that a special medical team had been established to address the problem. However, the Minister indicated that standard procurement procedures would require at least six weeks, raising concerns about continuity of patient care during the interim period.

Rasamanickam called for a comprehensive long-term solution rather than temporary fixes, urging the Health Ministry to establish continuous monitoring systems for Filgrastim stocks across major government hospitals and to develop reliable procurement mechanisms. He also requested verification of similar shortages in hospitals across the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The MP emphasized that the government has a responsibility to prevent cancer patients from delaying or discontinuing treatment due to medicine unavailability or cost barriers.