Post-Kidney Transplant Drugs Were Scarce, Lack of Medication Should Never Recur

The shortage of post-kidney transplant drugs that occurred in patients at RSCM should not be repeated.

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS RSUP WAHIDIN SUDIROHUSODO

The medical team at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Central General Hospital conducted the first kidney transplantation surgery in the hospital, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday (27/11/2023). The surgery, which was accompanied by a team from Cipto Mangunkusumo Central General Hospital, was deemed successful.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Shortages in drug distribution had occurred for several months regarding medicine for patients undergoing kidney transplantations. It is hoped that the shortage of this drug will not happen again. Patients who do not consume the medicine are at risk of experiencing damage to their new kidneys, which can endanger their lives.

General Chair of the Indonesian Dialysis Patient Community, Tony Richard Samosir, stated that a shortage of medicines was found among patients of the National Health Guarantee (JKN) program at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Central General Hospital. This shortage has occurred over the last few months. In fact, patients will not receive any medication at all in April 2024.

"The availability of the medication was reported to only be available this morning, but it cannot be confirmed whether all patients have received their rightful access. This shortage has occurred repeatedly. This scarce medication is very important and should not be postponed for consumption," he said when contacted in Jakarta on Thursday (May 2nd, 2024).

Also read: Kidney Transplant Increases Hope and Quality of Life

According to him, this recurring shortage of medicines must be addressed immediately. This condition can pose a serious threat to kidney transplant patients. The patient's quality of life will also decrease.

Kidney transplant patients who delay taking their medication are at risk of damaging the newly received donor kidney. If the kidney is damaged, the patient will have to undergo dialysis treatment again, resulting in unsuccessful transplantation.

He urged Commission IX of the House of Representatives to proactively summon the Director Main RSCM and the Minister of Health to respond to the issue of drug shortages. He will also report this issue in parallel to the Ombudsman.

This shortage has happened repeatedly. This rare medicine is so important that it should not be delayed in taking it.

Based on the findings of the Indonesian Kidney Dialysis Patient Community, the regularly out-of-stock medicine that must be consumed by post-kidney transplant patients are Sandimmun, Certican, and Myfortic. These medications are the main drugs for organ transplant patients, including kidney transplants. If these medicines are not consumed, there is a risk of rejection of the donor kidney received.

Threatening life safety

Tony added that the absence of immunosuppressant drugs for organ transplant patients is a critical condition that can endanger the lives of patients. Delaying the dosage of the medicine can result in fatal conditions due to the body's rejection of the organ donor.

Also read: Kidney Transplant Should Not Be Careless

Therefore, the shortage of medicine for kidney transplant patients must be immediately addressed. It is hoped that the allowance of medicine shortages will not be allowed to drag on. This is a form of negligence and violation of patients' rights.

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS RSUP WAHIDIN SUDIROHUSODO

The medical team at RSUP Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo hospital performed the first kidney transplant surgery there on Monday (27/11/2023). The surgery, accompanied by a team from RSCM, was considered successful.

Until now, patients have been trying to solve the problem of the scarcity of drugs by borrowing drugs from fellow post-transplant patients. Some patients have also been forced to buy the drugs at high prices. However, this is considered unable to address the issue of sustainable needs.

"As a national referral center hospital, RSCM must ensure that there is no delay in medication as it can endanger patient safety," said Tony.

Separately, member of Commission IX of DPR from the Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle Faction, Edy Wuryanto, stated that the lack of immunosuppressive conditions for post-kidney transplant patients is very unfortunate. This could be a risk of death for patients.

Moreover, this condition is happening to patients who are participants of the National Health Insurance program (JKN) and have been regularly paying their premiums for their membership. The government is obligated to provide the best service, including ensuring that the need for medication can be fulfilled.

"I am asking the Minister of Health and the Director General of Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices to immediately find the cause and resolve why the important drug shortage occurred? This should not happen again in the future when the Ministry of Health is carrying out healthcare service transformation," said Edy.