Warning after cancer patients died following delays in getting life-saving emergency drugs
NHS review reveals cause of fatal treatment delays
- At least five cancer patients have died, and three others were admitted to intensive care in the UK after not receiving the emergency medication, rasburicase.
- Rasburicase is vital for treating Tumour Lysis Syndrome (TLS), a serious complication of cancer treatments that can lead to organ damage if untreated.
- An NHS review found that drug shortages and a lack of awareness among doctors about the medication's urgency contributed to these critical delays.
- The review identified 123 safety incidents related to patients not receiving rasburicase, with 14 cases where delays likely led to death or significant health deterioration.
- Hospitals have been instructed to update clinical guidance by March next year, ensure all blood cancer patients receive TLS risk assessments, and maintain sufficient stock of rasburicase.