In Tatarstan, the shortage of vital medications for cancer patients has escalated again.

      In Tatarstan, patients at the republican oncology dispensary are facing a severe shortage of doxorubicin — a chemotherapy drug. The Ministry of Health of the republic acknowledges the problem, citing a nationwide deficit and sanctions. Patients report that doxorubicin — an antibiotic used in the treatment of a wide range of oncological diseases (from leukemia to breast cancer) — has virtually disappeared from legal circulation in the region. This is reported by "Evening Kazan." Journalists point out that the drug is out of stock, and its price in open sources ranges from 700 to 15,000 rubles per vial, making self-purchase unaffordable for many. Sources from the publication state that the shortage of the drug is related to logistical difficulties due to sanctions and the "stalling" of purchases at the stage of supply agreement. The Ministry of Health of Tatarstan confirmed the shortage, stating that it is due to the temporary absence of the specified drug in the pharmaceutical market of Russia as a whole. The resumption of production is expected only in the fourth quarter of 2026. In the meantime, patients are offered "alternative treatment regimens." Previously, residents of the republic had already complained about the lack of other vital drugs: bevacizumab, etoposide, carboplatin, cisplatin. The problem of drug shortages for cancer patients in Tatarstan has also been confirmed by the RKOD, writes "Evening Kazan." In November of last year, the then chief physician of the Republican Oncology Dispensary, Ilgiz Khidiatov, stated at a meeting of the State Council of the RT that despite an eightfold increase in the budget for drug therapy over seven years, there is still not enough money. As of the end of 2025, more than 127,000 cancer patients are registered in Tatarstan. Due to the inability to receive timely assistance locally, doctors are increasingly recommending that patients travel to Moscow, where the supply situation is traditionally better than in the regions. The organization "We Together — Bez Berge" plans to present a report on the drug shortage in the republic at a meeting in Roszdravnadzor. Activists are collecting data on drugs that are systematically unavailable. At a recent congress of oncologists in Kazan, it was announced that one in five complaints to Roszdravnadzor concerns drug provision. Meanwhile, the situation in Tatarstan appears more alarming than the national average: on average in Russia, 50% of complaints about the lack of drugs are confirmed, while in Tatarstan, it reaches 75%. Subscribe to our channel on Telegram.