Wednesday, August 6, 2025

STRONG ACCUSATION OF VETERINARIANS AGAINST HIO FOR ONCOLOGY DRUGS

Filenews 6 August 2025 - by Evalina Sizopoulou



The decision of the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) to prohibit the distribution of oncology drugs for use in sick animals, caused the intense indignation and disappointment of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association.

"The ban came into effect immediately, without any adjustment period, and there are already cases of animals with diagnosed cancer that lack the treatment they need to live. Some of them will die, not because there is no pharmaceutical solution, but because they are not given access to it. This is an inhumane and deeply unfair development that affects not only animals but also their guardians, who experience the desperation of not being able to offer their pet the treatment that exists and is possible", notes the Association in a relevant statement, pointing out that it is inconceivable that "the HIO has known for years that these medicines are also used in veterinary patients and continues to ignore them at all the needs of the animals when planning the supplies". In this way, the HIO, according to veterinarians, creates a state-controlled monopoly by excluding any other possibility of access to these preparations, which are not available from any private pharmacy in Cyprus.

At the same time, the Pancyprian Veterinary Association reminds that veterinarians have the absolute right, according to the legislation, to prescribe human medicines when veterinary preparations are not available. This also applies in the case of oncology drugs with active substances lomustine, doxorubicin, chlorambucil, melphalan and others.

"Nevertheless, the HIO refuses to allow hospital pharmacies to perform our legal prescriptions, depriving animals of the necessary treatment," he notes, clarifying that in no case "do we ask that our fellow cancer patients be deprived of access to treatment. On the contrary: We are simply asking for the necessary planning to be made so that sufficient quantities are ordered that also cover the needs of the animals, which are fully predictable and known."

"Pointing out that the supply must be made by other services is 'pretexts in sin' and a classic case of shifting responsibility from one state service to another", notes the Association, stressing that "the narrative of 'rare and difficult procurement' cannot be an alibi for the systematic neglect of the needs of thousands of animals suffering from cancer in Cyprus".

Stressing that veterinarians are not asking for priority but for the inclusion and right of animals to treatment, they call on the HIO, the Ministry of Health and the Pharmaceutical Services to reconsider their attitude and take all necessary actions for the smooth, institutionalized and permanent coverage of the needs of patients and animals.