The Ministry of Health is giving assurances that drugs used to treat cancer are available in Trinidad and Tobago, and that the country is not experiencing any shortages at this time.
“The public is reassured that the Ministry will take the necessary and proactive steps to ensure continued availability of drugs for the treatment and care of cancers,” the Ministry said in a news release issued today, which sought to rebut several statements made at yesterday’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament on Social Services and Public Administration, yesterday.
The Health Ministry expressed concern over statements made by Dr. Asante Le Blanc before the JSC, with regard to oncology drugs availability in T&T.
“The Ministry wishes to place on record that oncology drugs are available in Trinidad and Tobago and further advises that there is no shortage of chemotherapy infusion pharmaceuticals, inclusive of those used for Breast and Prostate cancer, as alleged,” the Health Ministry’s statement said.
It added: “While the Ministry takes notes of shortages of Chemotherapy drugs in other countries, Trinidad and Tobago is not experiencing any shortages at this time.”
According to the Ministry, “the Drug Advisory Committee (DAC), is responsible for the registration of all drugs coming into the country, of which Dr. Le Blanc is a sitting member. Members of the DAC are privy to information in this regard.”
The Health Ministry points out that cancer therapy is largely free in this country’s public system.
“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),” the Ministry notes. “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,” the release said.
It went on: “To further demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to the prevention and treatment of cancer, a robust 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.”
The Ministry’s release also pointed to Cabinet’s recent approval to award scholarships, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, to eight Doctors to train in the field of oncology at a cost of TT $3.6 million dollars.
“This underscores the Government’s and the Ministry’s long-term commitment to building expertise and capacity in cancer care within the country,” the release stated.