Libyan Patients Union warns of declining medicine security
LIBYA – Mahmoud Abu Dabbous, head of the Libyan Patients Union, has warned of a severe crisis in medicine supplies, saying Libya lacks medicine security amid shortages of essential treatments for patients with cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and cystic fibrosis.
Cancer drugs unavailable to more than 80% of patients
Speaking to Libya Al-Ahrar TV, which broadcasts from Turkey with Qatari funding, Abu Dabbous said more than 80% of cancer patients cannot obtain their medicines. He said the crisis had emerged at the main treatment centres in Sabratha, Misrata, Benghazi, Tripoli and other cities, where many patients are unable to get treatment.
Kidney and diabetes drugs: some improvement, continuing shortages
He said supplies for kidney failure patients had improved somewhat with the arrival of some items, but shortages of other medicines persist, including “Benbara”, which he said is essential for about 7,100 kidney failure patients, and Renagel, while Eprex and some other treatments are available.
He noted that insulin and other medicines for diabetes patients have been in short supply for long periods, describing patients’ inability to obtain treatment as a dangerous stage given that the reasons for the decline in supplies remain unclear.
Cystic fibrosis and calls to hold the medical supply body accountable
Abu Dabbous added that cystic fibrosis patients have been without their medicines despite repeated appeals, noting that about 88 cases have been recorded in Tripoli and that the total in Libya is estimated at about 200.
He held the Medical Supply Organization responsible for the lack of medicines, given its role in procurement, and called for the issue to be addressed so that all patients receive their treatment.
