The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) confirmed that, up to October 6th, it didn’t have two drugs used to treat cancer patients, as reported by the National Association of Life’s Second Chances (ANASOVI).
According to Dinorah Garro, CCSS logistics manager, the institution bought both medicines in a timely manner, however, both were rejected by quality tests. The specialist declared that they were not suitable for human consumption and the Fund can’t accept a product that risks their patients’ lives.
In addition, the manager said that these drugs are difficult to acquire because the purchase is performed in small quantities and suppliers do not consider it profitable, since few patients use them.
Garro stated that the issue has been a concern, but they cannot ignore the quality tests, as their duty is to offer users a drug that does not undermine their health or risk their lives.
According to the CCSS, Ifosfamide, one of the treatments, would be available to patients in 2 weeks because it is in quality tests. The amounts of ifosfamide needed cost from 93,800 dollars to 105,000 dollars per year.
Moreover, Albin Chaves, director of the Department of Pharmacoepidemiology from the CCSS, said that the institution is willing to authorize other lines of treatment for those patients who require it.