Global Access to Cancer Medicines

Abstract

Cancer is a major cause of death with its high levels of global burden and mortality. Globally, the cancer incidence and mortality varied across countries. When comparing it by global economic levels, the Global North shows relatively low mortality rate due to screening, early detection and development and availability of treatment therapy. Recently, anticancer drugs are becoming more expensive. However, it is questionable whether the high cost is well deserved. In general, anticancer agents are characterized by uncertain value and high cost. Access to high-cost anticancer drugs has become a major challenge in many countries because of the lack of insurance coverage and the resulting financially unaffordable cost to patients. Therefore, access to anticancer drugs is a common issue for both the Global South and North.

When it comes to availability, cancer patients in LMICs only have access to part of the listed anticancer drugs at high copayment or full cost, and access to these medicines is limited due to poorly available supply problems. Moreover, recently approved medicines targeting metastatic cancers are often unavailable or available only when patients are charged more. This leads to profound inequity in access to cancer medicines.

In terms of affordability, the upsurge of spending on cancer drugs has surpassed that of total health expenditures, especially in low-income countries. When the cost of cancer medicines becomes unaffordable and unsustainable, governments in low-income countries may reduce the procurement and supply of these medicines resulting in compromising the timely access to them. Furthermore, anticancer drugs are relatively more expensive in low-income countries when purchasing power is taken into account.

In order to solve the issues pertaining to the access to high-cost cancer medicines, high-income countries have adopted MEAs or a separate fund applicable to these medicines while LMICs have made efforts for the self-sufficiency of medicines, such as through compulsory licensing and adopted free donation and second brands with lowered price.

Although the universal healthcare system assures access to cancer medicines, its sustainability is challenged. Since the high price of anticancer drugs is a barrier to access to cancer medicines in all countries, it is necessary for governments and stakeholders to implement policies to regulate the price of cancer medicines at an affordable level by guaranteeing reasonable profits through regional and global cooperation.