Every child deserves a fighting chance against cancer, regardless of where they are born. Yet, stark inequalities persist in access to pediatric oncology treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As purchasers responsible for securing essential medicines and therapies, understanding the challenges and opportunities in the childhood cancer treatment landscape is crucial.
The Disastrous Inequalities in Childhood Cancer Care
Cost Disparities: Children in LMICs often face up to 7 times higher prices for essential pediatric cancer medicines compared to those in High-Income Countries (HICs).
Limited Clinical Trials: While 70% of pediatric cancer clinical trials are conducted in HICs, LMICs account for just 6%, leaving children in these regions with fewer options for innovative treatments.
Survival Rates: In HICs, 80% of children with cancer survive, thanks to timely diagnoses and access to comprehensive care. In contrast, survival rates can drop to as low as 20% in some LMICs, where the barriers to care remain formidable.
These disparities make it clear that childhood cancer care must evolve to ensure equitable access to life-saving medicines worldwide.
Bringing Solutions to the Table: Essential Medicines for Childhood Cancer
For purchasers looking to improve access to life-saving medicines in LMICs, it is crucial to address the availability of essential childhood cancer medicines. The right medicines can save lives, and NCDconnect offers a digital procurement platform to facilitate access to the following therapies:
- Cytotoxic Medicines: For destroying cancerous cells.
- Hormones & Antihormones: To regulate growth and suppress cancer progression.
- Immunomodulators: Strengthening the immune response to combat cancer.
- Targeted Therapies: Delivering precision treatment directly to cancer cells while minimising harm to healthy tissues.
NCDconnect: Simplifying Procurement of Pediatric Cancer Medicines
NCDconnect supports organisations in securing the treatments children need to survive cancer. The platform serves as a facilitator for procurement teams, streamlining supply chains, and offering a comprehensive catalogue including pediatric cancer treatments.
Key features of NCDconnect include:
- Comprehensive Product Range: Offering a wide selection of quality-assured treatments and medical devices for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including pediatric cancer.
- Affordable Pricing: With a not-for-profit model ensures affordable, prices remain fair and competitive
- Reliable Delivery: leveraging over 50 years of experience from IDA Foundation to ensure that life-saving medicines reach healthcare facilities when they are needed most.
Join the Movement: Expand Equitable Access to Childhood Cancer Treatments
Procuring teams have the power to ensure no child is left behind in the fight against cancer. With NCDconnect, gain access to a network that simplifies the procurement process and ensures the availability of vital pediatric cancer medicines. Together, we can improve survival rates and give children in LMICs the fighting chance they deserve.