Lahore: (RightNow) Over 5,000 cancer patients in Punjab are deprived of free medicines. The shortage of the crucial blood cancer drug, Nilotinib, has caused difficulties for patients for two months.

Sources report that the regular supply of medicines under the Punjab government’s CML program has been disrupted. The reasons for the drug shortage remain unclear, forcing patients to purchase expensive medicines from the market.

Cancer patients have complained that buying medicines is becoming a financial burden. These medicines cost thousands of rupees, making them unaffordable for the average patient.

Previously, government hospitals in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Rawalpindi provided free medicines to patients. This facility is now affected, causing severe distress to patients.

It is noteworthy that the Punjab government’s free treatment program for cancer patients began in 2014. Under this program, patients were provided with free medicines.