A DRUG used to treat people in the early stages of bladder cancer is in limited supply in Bradford, it has emerged.

The city’s hospital trust acknowledged the supply of BCG was a “potential worry and distress” for patients, but said efforts to source more were ongoing.

The only licensed BCG preparation in the UK, also used as a tuberculosis vaccine, is Oncotice which is made by a sole supplier, MSD, in Hertfordshire.

A spokesman for the hospital trust said: “We are very aware of the potential worry and distress this may cause to patients but have been assured by MSD that they are working hard to rectify the current situation.”

A supply update brief put on-line by MSD reads: “MSD is doing everything it can to restore supplies and meet market demand as quickly as possible. We currently expect supply to resume by December 2014.”