Kosovo health officials dispute cause of cancer patient death

A controversy has emerged in Kosovo following the death of a breast cancer patient, with conflicting reports regarding the cause. The Renesansa patient organization claims the woman died after being without the Palbociclib therapy for approximately four months due to shortages at the Oncology Clinic and the high cost of purchasing it privately, which can reach 1,800 euros. They report that the lack of treatment led to new brain metastases.

Health Minister Arben Vitia and the Director of the Oncology Clinic, Ilir Kurtishi, have denied these claims. Vitia stated that the cause of death cannot be determined without a formal medical autopsy and criticized media outlets for reporting the news without proper verification. Kurtishi maintained that no patients have been left without Palbociclib therapy for four months, asserting that drug supplies have followed expected hospital dynamics.

Minister Vitia also addressed broader supply issues, admitting that shortages occur “from time to time” due to a doubling of patient demand for certain new medications, such as Palbociclib, which was recently added to the essential medicine list. LDK Deputy Janina Ymeri has called for a prosecution investigation into the matter, citing rising cancer rates and mortality in the country.