In a social media post this Friday, former Democratic Party MP Ervin Salianji raised concerns about drug shortages at the Oncology Hospital at the University Hospital Centre of Tirana (QSUT).
He accused the government of using propaganda to portray the state of healthcare while patients struggle to obtain the treatment they need.
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As a specific example, Salianji cited PHESGO, a drug used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer.
According to him, patients are being given HERCEPTIN in its absence, a treatment that does not contain the same combination of active ingredients.
He said this was not because doctors had chosen the most appropriate alternative, but because PHESGO was unavailable.
Salianji linked the supply interruption to the expiry of the contract, which he said had not been renewed on time. He claimed that the minister had yet to sign the new contract and that, even if it were signed immediately, the medication would take at least 60 days to arrive.
In his post, he described the situation as a Pink October gift to women battling cancer and accused the government of putting opportunities for corruption ahead of people’s suffering.
Another concern he raised was funding for treatments. Salianji claimed that the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (FSDKSH) had called doctors to tell them that funds had been exhausted, there was no budget left until the end of the year, and treatments had to be postponed. According to him, this affects oncology, neurology, immunology, cardiology, ophthalmology and other services.
The former MP said doctors were facing an unacceptable choice between their professional duty to patients and financial and administrative pressure from state institutions.
He stressed that the consequences directly affect citizens’ lives and their right to treatment: while the funds, he said, have run out, illnesses continue.
Salianji called on Minister Spahiu to provide answers about the medicines, depleted funds and responsibility for the contracts that had not been finalized.
He also questioned whether interests he described as mafia-like were being placed above citizens’ health. Criticizing spending on propaganda, facades and inaugurations when there is no money for medicines, he said cancer patients could not be asked to wait 60 days, nor could other patients be asked to wait until January. Salianji concluded by calling on Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
