The collaboration between IDA Foundation’s NCDconnect initiative and the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition, led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), is making significant strides toward improving access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). You can read more here to learn more about the origins of this collaboration.
As NCDconnect celebrates over a year of progress, Amy Israel, Senior Advisor for Access to Medicines, shares insights on the platform’s impact and how it addresses the complex challenges of oncology procurement and supply chains in LMICs.
A Collaborative Approach to Cancer Procurement
“Our collaboration with IDA Foundation has been immensely fruitful”, Amy shared early in our conversation. “Together, we’re creating something new that hasn’t existed for cancer treatment, designing better solutions tailored specifically for the pain points in cancer care”. This ethos of learning and adapting is central to the partnership’s success in addressing the unique challenges in oncology care.
“One of the most valuable aspects of IDA Foundation is its ability to tackle procurement challenges with a ‘yes, and’ mindset,” Amy explains. “On every challenge we encounter, IDA always says, ‘Yes, we can do it.’ This approach has led to successful collaborations in navigating complex supply chains and overcoming obstacles that might otherwise hinder access to essential medicines.”
NCDconnect: Solving Supply Chain Barriers in LMICs
The NCDconnect digital procurement platform, launched by IDA Foundation, represents a significant step forward in simplifying access to essential cancer medications and devices. By ensuring all products are quality-assured and accessible, the platform simplifies the procurement process for healthcare providers in LMICs.
Amy has seen firsthand the impact of NCDconnect as a crucial tool in improving access to oncology medicines and medical devices. “Through NCDconnect, IDA Foundation has created a well-crafted cancer medicine catalogue built with the ability to tailor to the particular needs of customers and suppliers”, she notes.
What sets NCDconnect apart, according to Amy, is IDA Foundation’s “holistic vision for the oncology supply chain”, which is essential for buyers facing procurement difficulties. “With this vision, IDA Foundation—through NCDconnect—addresses sticky procurement challenges with a quick and solution-driven mindset, helping facilities access the right medicines at the right time”.
Another key strength of NCDconnect is its ability to accommodate small order quantities, a frequent challenge in oncology procurement. By involving multiple suppliers, the platform enhances the availability of medications, ensuring that healthcare facilities can access the treatments they need for patients.
The Future: Scaling Up with ATOM and NCDconnect
In the near future, the UICC-led ATOM Coalition will not only focus on increasing the availability of innovative medicines in LLMICs but also on diagnostics. Scaling this model into additional countries is part of their strategy, with an eye on improving the cancer care cascade in more countries. Amy sees NCDconnect as an essential part of that effort, helping to “put the puzzle pieces together” by connecting relevant stakeholders and ensuring everyone has the tools to collaborate effectively.
Looking to the future, Amy is optimistic about NCDconnect’s potential to enhance access to cancer treatment. She believes the platform’s true impact will be felt as more stakeholders, including governments, healthcare providers, and procurement teams, embrace it.
“A tool is only as good as it is used; we need to ramp up as a group and collaboratively build this trust”, Amy emphasises. This highlights the importance of ongoing awareness efforts to amplify the platform’s visibility and utility across LMICs. IDA and the ATOM Coalition will work together to showcase NCDconnect’s capabilities with more country stakeholders so they can leverage the platform’s full capabilities. “We know generating demand will take time, but with ongoing collaboration and innovation, the future is promising.”
A Shared Vision for Progress on Oncology Access
Reflecting on the collaboration, Amy summed it up nicely: NCDconnect’s commitment to a collaborative, sustainable approach positions it as a key enabler in reshaping oncology care in resource-limited settings. As Amy aptly notes, “NCDconnect is a vehicle to help ensure the dance is choreographed well between country stakeholders, facilities buyers and beyond. We all want to see the right medicines get to the right places at the right time.”
As IDA Foundation and NCDconnect continue this journey with the Coalition, the shared vision is clear: a future where the gaps in oncology supply chains are closed, trust is strengthened, and access to cancer care is a reality for all.
Amy Israel: Amy Israel is a global leader in improving healthcare access, with extensive experience in business, multilateral organisations, and NGOs. She currently serves as Senior Advisor for Access to Medicines at the UICC-led ATOM Coalition. Previously, held senior roles in Novartis and Eli Lilly, impacting health outcomes in dozens of countries. Amy Israel’s LinkedIn profile.
ATOM Coalition: Led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition (ATOM Coalition) stands as a global initiative bringing together over 40 global partners committed to addressing the challenges of availability, affordability, and appropriate use of oncology medicines in low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs).
Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition | UICC
IDA Foundation | NCDconnect: IDA Foundation’s mission is to be the vital link that provides access to medicines and medical goods to countries in need. IDA Foundation created NCDconnect, a one-stop access solution for non-communicable disease (NCD) medicines, medical supplies, and diagnostics procurement. The platform aims to increase the affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare products to fight NCDs, including cancer. NCDconnect | Unifying Health Access
Bridging the gap in access to medicines | IDA Foundation