E-DRUG: Access to essential cancer medicines
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Dear E-druggers
Given that non-communicable diseases are already killing more people in
developing countries than traditional infectious diseases it is time that
cancer medicines become better available to people in developing world.
Last year there was already a strong lobby for better access to essential
cancer medicines:
http://keionline.org/sites/default/files/WHABriefforDelegates_essentialcance
rmeds_YPCDN_KEI_UAEM_14.05%20%281%29.pdf
The UICC has even a specific campaign for essential cancer medicines:
http://www.uicc.org/advocacy/our-campaigns/essential-medicines
Treatment should also be accessible for all: see
http://www.worldcancerday.org/treatment-all
Prices for essential cancer medicines vary widely: at one side we see
expensive branded (patented) medicines (see the OXFAM report at
http://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/oxfam/bitstream/10546/344070/1/rr-ac
cess-cancer-treatment-inequality-040215-en.pdf)
While we actually need good quality generic versions (a 4 year old overview of MSH:
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s21671en/s21671en.pdf)
The access to essential cancer medicines has led to a long list of
applications for the 19th Model Essential Medicines List. The process is
transparently public: see all the applications and arguments on the WHO
website:
http://www.who.int/selection_medicines/committees/expert/20/applications/cancer/en/
Happy downloading / reading!
Regards
Wilbert
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Wilbert Bannenberg, public health consultant
Prins Bernhardstraat 1, 5571 GC Bergeijk, the Netherlands
Tel +31-497-550713 or 540965
Mob +31 6 20873123; Skype: wilbertb1; Blackberry PIN: 23b0da13
wjb@wxs.nl