Key cancer drug vanishes from Tula pharmacies

A shortage of the vital chemotherapy drug Carboplatin is being felt across Russia, including in Tula, Voronezh, and Moscow, forcing patients to seek it in private clinics at high costs.

Feb 23, 2026

Carboplatin has almost completely disappeared from retail pharmacy shelves in Tula and other Russian regions.
Source:
Maria Lents / NGS24.RU

A shortage of the drug Carboplatin, which is important for cancer treatment, is being observed in several regions of Russia. For instance, in Voronezh and Moscow the medicine has become scarce, and patients are forced to search for it in private clinics, paying tens of thousands of rubles per IV drip.

The vital chemotherapy drug is currently out of stock and unavailable for purchase in pharmacies.

Carboplatin is a second-generation platinum-based antitumor chemotherapy drug. The medication is used to treat various types of cancer. It is on the list of vital and essential drugs. Carboplatin is often part of so-called doublet regimens—combination chemotherapy (using two different treatment methods. — Ed.). This type of treatment is effective due to the platinum component. Removing the drug from the treatment protocol often means not just an «easier» course, but a real reduction in the chances of a tumor response.

Pharmacists are suggesting alternative medications instead, which may not be fully equivalent substitutes.

The editorial staff of 71.RU decided to find out how things stand with the vital drug in the Tula region.

Pharmacies

Officially, the authorities have not yet commented on the situation with the drug. But experts in the medical field cite «logistical difficulties» and the consequences of sanctions, which have complicated deliveries, as reasons for the disappearance of the important medicine. Additional pressure is created by the rising cost of raw materials: platinum-containing drugs have become less profitable for manufacturers, which impacts production volumes. This was reported to the MSK1.RU editorial staff by oncologist Yevgeny Ledin, MD, chief physician of Ledin Clinic: «Indeed, such a situation with Carboplatin developed about a month and a half to two months ago. As they say in the medical world, »the drug has gone into short supply.« There is practically none of the drug left in retail pharmacies now. Several of my patients say that oncology dispensaries have started treatment with analogs.»

In the region«s pharmacies, the situation with Carboplatin is the same as in the Moscow, Voronezh, and other regions of Russia. That is, the medicine is simply not available for retail sale—it cannot be bought, and sometimes not even ordered.

Meanwhile, in Tula, they politely offer to buy analogs of Carboplatin—they are in stock, and their prices are about the same as for the original drug. However, according to oncologist Andrey Pylev, other platinum drugs cannot fully replace Carboplatin.

Is the drug available in Tula hospitals?

According to data from the public procurement system, the situation with Carboplatin in Tula hospitals is slightly better.

For example, the Tula Regional Oncology Center purchased the drug very recently—a contract was concluded on 21 January 2026.

However, they managed to purchase relatively little—308 packs of the drug in 10-milligram dosages. Each pack cost the budget 2,236.05 rubles (about $25 at current rates).

According to the contract, the goods must arrive at the oncology center within two weeks of the contract date—that is, no later than 5 February.

Of note—the contract was concluded with a single supplier. Other regions have certain problems with such public procurements. In Voronezh, not a single bid was submitted by suppliers for a tender to purchase Carboplatin.

The editorial staff of 71.RU has sent an official request to the Ministry of Health of the Tula Region to clarify the situation regarding the availability of the drug in the region«s medical institutions where cancer patients receive treatment, and about possible plans to switch to analogs.