Oncology drugs are available in Trinidad and Tobago and there is no shortage of chemotherapy infusion pharmaceuticals, inclusive of those used for Breast and Prostate cancer, as alleged.
This update is given by the Ministry of Health as it responded concern the statements made by Dr. Asante Le Blanc, before a Joint Select Committee of the Parliament on Social Services and Public Administration, Wednesday.
It says while the Ministry takes notes of shortages of Chemotherapy drugs in other countries, Trinidad and Tobago is not experiencing any shortages at this time.
The Drug Advisory Committee is responsible for the registration of all drugs coming into the country, of which Dr. Le Blanc is a sitting member.
The Ministry explains members of the DAC are privy to information in this regard.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s public healthcare system also provides free chemotherapy and radiation therapy services for patients at the Cancer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago (formerly St James Oncology Centre).
Additionally, radiation therapy is provided at the Southern Medical Clinic and the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre at an annual cost of TT $40,872,800.
In relation to drugs for the treatment of cancers, for the period 2021 to 2023, approximately TT $245,416,000 was expended, and this expenditure is projected to continue for the duration from 2023 to 2025, for all cancer drugs.
There is also a drive to vaccinate the population against the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer, saw 167,676 vaccines distributed from 2013 to 2023.
The Ministry’s thrust to vaccinate the population against HPV is ongoing.