KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 12
With the introduction of essential anti-cancer drugs in the country, they have become more accessible to patients battling the deadly non-communicable disease.
Despite the operation of several cancer hospitals and health facilities in Nepal, essential drugs were not easily available for thousands of patients. The drugs were rolled out after issuance of a marketing licence by the Department Drug Administration to Tizig Pharma Pvt Ltd some nine months ago. This has made it easier for patients to get anti-cancer drugs.
A press release issued by the pharma claimed that it was the first anti-cancer drug manufacturing company licensed by the DDA in Nepal.
Executive director of the pharma Shailesh Vaidya said, "Even though we had cancer treatment facilities within the country, there was a shortage of drugs apart from massive irregularities in their price. Therefore, we started rolling out drugs for patients to end such problem in the market."
As per Vaidya, the pharma - the first drug manufacturing company - operated with foreign investment after entering a technology transfer agreement with a leading anti-cancer manufacturing company in Hyderabad, India, in line with the World Health Organisation guideline and prevailing laws of Nepal.
Vaidya, who is also a social entrepreneur, was recently awarded with the Certificate of excellence by World Book of Records, London, for his work in the establishment of Nepal's first manufacturing unit of anti-cancer drugs. The release said the pharma had obtained permission for manufacturing 53 types of anti-cancer drugs for lungs, blood, breast, uterine and colon cancer, by fully adhering to the World Health Organisation guideline and Drugs Act, 1978.
Of them, seven types of drugs have already been introduced in the market.
Likewise, it is preparing to launch 16 other drugs soon and export them to foreign countries.
Cancer hospitals in Nepal have urged the pharma to supply drugs on a regular basis, read the release.
Vaidya said domestic drugs was more affordable and accessible compared to foreign counterparts. He said high priority would be accorded to the quality, efficacy and safety of the drugs in the interest of cancer patients in general.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 13, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
