QSUT Oncology Hospital: drug supply and chemotherapy allegations (SPAK case, 2024)
Status: Accusations (SPAK, 2024). Trial and outcome not found in sources read. KLSH audit findings reported October 2025.
Summary
In June 2024, Albanian media reporting on a Report TV case file alleged that staff at the Tirana Oncology Hospital steered cancer patients to private clinics, split chemotherapy courses, and sold part of the treatment through outside pharmacies. The file alleges vials cost between 250 and 1,500 euro. Patients interviewed in Albanian media described having to buy chemotherapy drugs themselves when they were out of stock.
In July 2024 SPAK announced charges against seven suspects, listing corruption, abuse of office and medicine smuggling, and said it had asked the Special Court to review security measures. These are accusations only. The sources read do not report a trial outcome.
In October 2025, a KLSH audit of oncology drug supply, as reported by BalkanWeb, found patients without chemotherapy for up to six months because of shortages and supply-system failures, and zero stock for over a week in central and oncology-supplying pharmacy stock. The same reporting says the Ministry of Health and QSUT did not audit or monitor the oncology hospital in the audit period.
Key facts
- Shqiptarja (25 Jun 2024), citing Report TV case file: vial cost 250-1,500 euro as stated in the file.
- SPAK (18 Jul 2024): seven suspects; house-arrest and reporting measures listed; prosecutor Elvin Gokaj asked GJKKO to review measures.
- BalkanWeb (4 Oct 2025): KLSH found patients without chemotherapy for up to 6 months; zero stock for periods longer than 1 week.
- BalkanWeb (4 Oct 2025): part of QSUT clinical protocols dated from 2014 with no systematic updates.
- Shqiptarja (10 Oct 2025): MP Bardh Spahia said a KLSH report covering 2021-2025 found 46% (116) authorised tumour drugs were never imported (his figure; KLSH report not read).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- KLSH audit findings, as reported by BalkanWeb (4 Oct 2025): chemotherapy interruptions of up to six months and zero-stock periods longer than one week. The full audit report was not read.
- SPAK has brought charges against seven suspects (accusations, 18 Jul 2024), per Shqiptarja reporting. Accusation only, not a court finding.
What is alleged (3)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationSteering of patients to private clinics and split chemo courses (Report TV case file, 2024).
- AllegationSale of hospital chemo drugs through outside pharmacies (Report TV case file, 2024).
- AllegationAbuse of office, corruption and medicine smuggling (SPAK charges as listed in Shqiptarja, 2024).
Allegations and who made them (4)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationReport TV case file, as reported by Shqiptarja (25 Jun 2024): doctors and staff allegedly steered cancer patients to private clinics and split chemotherapy courses, selling part of the treatment at two Tirana pharmacies.
- AllegationSame case file, as reported: a pharmacy area ('Kapa') allegedly let relatives or staff withdraw chemo drugs for money out of turn.
- AllegationSame case file, as reported: a named individual allegedly distributed smuggled drugs; the file states no measure had been taken against him.
- AllegationBardh Spahia (PD), 10 Oct 2025: patients are being treated with expired drugs, citing a KLSH report (no KLSH count given in the article).
Open questions (4)
- Current status of the SPAK case and any trial outcome (not found).
- Full text and publication date of the KLSH oncology audit (not read; BalkanWeb gives 4 Oct 2025 as article date only).
- Whether the 46% never-imported figure cited by Spahia matches the KLSH report (not checked).
- Ministry of Health response to KLSH recommendations on protocols and a working group (none found in sources read).
Responses (3)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Ministry of Health (search summary of Shqiptarja reporting, 2024, not verified): administrative inquiry opened; plan to change law on medical order; doctors under investigation suspended. Full article not readable (HTTP 403 or no fetch).
- Shqiptarja 18 Jul 2024 and BalkanWeb 4 Oct 2025 articles read in full contain no response from the Ministry, QSUT or the accused.
- Edmond Gashi and other suspects: no response found in sources read.
Timeline
Full timeline →Media
Report TV case file on Tirana Oncology Hospital reported by Shqiptarja
Shqiptarja (25 Jun 2024) reported allegations from a case file obtained by Report TV: steering of patients to private clinics, splitting of chemo courses, sale through two Tirana pharmacies, vials priced 250-1,500 euro. The article contains no charges, court decision or official response.
SPAK
SPAK announces charges in the Oncology Hospital case
Shqiptarja (18 Jul 2024) reported that SPAK took over the case after the Tirana Prosecutor's Office declared lack of jurisdiction, and listed charges against seven suspects covering corruption, abuse of office and medicine smuggling. Measures: house arrest for Edmond Gashi and Florian Marku; reporting obligations for Alketa Pere Ymeri, Brikena Qirjazi, Emiljano Lela, Drilona Kishta and Halil Gashi. Prosecutor Elvin Gokaj asked GJKKO to review the measures. No hospital or ministry response in the article. These are accusations only.
Other
KLSH oncology audit: chemotherapy interruptions up to six months, zero stock periods
BalkanWeb (4 Oct 2025) reported KLSH audit findings on oncology drug supply at QSUT: shortages repeated and in some supply contracts periods without medicine lasting up to 6 months; some patients had months without any chemo dose; hundreds received interrupted treatment outside protocol (report of about 200 pages, per article). Stock was 0 for periods longer than one week in the central warehouse and in the oncology-supplying pharmacy. Part of QSUT clinical protocols dated from 2014. KLSH asked the Ministry to set up a working group to update protocols and guarantee steady supply. Article includes no QSUT or Ministry response. Audit period and report date not stated in article.
Parliament
PD deputy Spahia cites KLSH findings on oncology drugs and seeks parliamentary debate
Shqiptarja (10 Oct 2025) quoted MP Bardh Spahia (PD): he said a KLSH report covering 2021-2025 found 46% (116) of authorised, vital tumour drugs were never imported; that patients are treated with expired drugs; that the oncology drug and equipment budget is 13 times lower than the concessions budget; and that the oncology drug budget fell by nearly half a million euro over three years (citing an earlier KLSH report). He said PD would file a request for a motion with debate with the health minister and urged justice bodies to investigate. These are his statements; the KLSH report was not read. No Ministry response in the article.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- 25 Jun 2024
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- 18 Jul 2024
- Publisher
- BalkanWeb
- Date
- 4 Oct 2025
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- 10 Oct 2025