Cancer patients report delays and high costs for essential medications

Patients in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are reporting significant difficulties in accessing high-cost medications required for cancer treatments.

In the Dominican Republic, a patient with a pulmonary carcinoid tumor reported waiting between 10 and 12 months for medication through the state’s High-Cost Medication Program. To avoid treatment interruptions, the patient’s family reportedly spent over 1 million Dominican pesos on monthly doses, with total medical-related expenses approaching 2 million pesos. Even after authorization, the patient noted continued intermittent delays in deliveries.

In Venezuela, families seeking treatment at the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (IVSS) in Los Ruices have denounced administrative hurdles and lack of clarity regarding drug availability. Patients seeking essential drugs such as erythropoietin and filgrastim reported being turned away due to strict documentation requirements, including specific prescription formats and proof of life, without receiving confirmation on whether the medications were in stock.