Essential medicines list in national cancer control plans: a secondary analysis from a global study
Evangelia Razis1, Marie Kassapian2, Charitini Andriakopoulou2
13rd Department of Medical Oncology, Hygeia Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
With the advent of innovative therapeutics for and the rising costs of cancer management, low-income and middle-income countries face increasing challenges to deliver effective and sustainable health care. Understanding of how countries are selecting and prioritising essential cancer interventions is poor, including in the formulation of policies for essential medicines. We did an in-depth subanalysis from a global dataset of national cancer control plans (NCCPs), aiming to identify possible determinants of inclusion of policies related to essential medicines in the NCCP. The results showed poor global comprehensiveness of NCCPs, and substantial deficits in policies for financial hardships due to cancer care, specifically for access to cancer medicines. Specification of budget allocations, policy of protection from catastrophic health expenditure, and national treatment guidelines in the NCCPs contributed to more consistent policies on essential cancer medicines. The bedrock to deliver effective cancer programmes resides in the assurance of comprehensive, consistent, and coherent policy formulation, to orient resource selection and health investments, ultimately delivering equitable health for all.
Insights
National cancer control plans (NCCPs) in low- and middle-income countries often lack comprehensive policies for essential cancer medicines. Key factors like budget allocation and treatment guidelines improve essential medicine policies for better cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Policy
- Global Health
Background:
- Innovative cancer therapeutics and rising management costs challenge healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.
- Effective and sustainable cancer care delivery is hindered by poor understanding of essential intervention prioritization.
- Deficits exist in policies for financial hardship and access to essential cancer medicines within national plans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze national cancer control plans (NCCPs) globally.
- To identify determinants for including essential medicines policies in NCCPs.
- To assess the comprehensiveness of cancer care policies in resource-limited settings.
Main Methods:
- In-depth subanalysis of a global dataset of national cancer control plans (NCCPs).
- Examination of policy inclusion related to essential cancer medicines.
- Identification of factors associated with policy development for cancer medicines.
Main Results:
- Global NCCPs demonstrate poor comprehensiveness regarding essential cancer medicines.
- Significant gaps were found in policies addressing financial hardship and access to cancer medicines.
- Budget allocation, protection from catastrophic health expenditure, and national treatment guidelines positively correlated with consistent essential medicine policies.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive, consistent, and coherent policy formulation is crucial for effective cancer programs.
- Policy development guides resource selection and health investments for equitable cancer care.
- Strengthening NCCPs is vital for improving access to essential cancer medicines in resource-limited settings.
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