A new article in The Lancet Oncology1 highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to improve cancer treatment access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Authored by ATOM Coalition experts, the article outlines key barriers to medicine availability and presents four innovative pathways to address them—including the role of NCDconnect in strengthening supply chains.
Tackling Barriers to Cancer Treatment
The ATOM Coalition, led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), unites over 40 partners across civil society, public, and private sectors to address critical obstacles in oncology care. High treatment costs, fragmented supply chains, complex regulatory pathways, and limited local procurement capacity continue to hinder access to essential cancer medicines in LMICs. To overcome these barriers, the coalition focuses on innovative licensing models, humanitarian supply programs, and improved procurement mechanisms.
NCDconnect: Strengthening Supply Chains for Better Access
One of the key pathways identified in the article is NCDconnect’s digital procurement platform, powered by IDA Foundation. NCDconnect is designed to streamline and simplify medical supplies procurement, enabling healthcare organisations to consolidate orders, achieve economies of scale, and improve supply predictability. By reducing inefficiencies in the supply chain, NCDconnect supports organisations to make essential NCD medicines and devices—including oncology —more accessible, affordable, and available when and where they are needed.
Through NCDconnect, buyers gain access to a specialised catalogue of high-quality medicines and medical devices, supported by IDA Foundation’s 50+ years of experience in global health supply chains. More than just a marketplace, NCDconnect fosters efficiency and aims at improving forecasting, and strengthening health systems’ resilience.
Driving Sustainable Solutions
Recognition in The Lancet Oncology underscores NCDconnect’s role as an enabler in the fight against NCDs, including cancer. By working closely with the ATOM Coalition and healthcare organisations, we support efforts to bridge access gaps and ensure life-saving medicines reach those who need them most.
References:
- Explore UICC’s summary and key findings of the article: Revolutionising cancer treatment access in low-resource settings | UICC
- Learn more about how you can make impact against NCDs with NCDconnect: NCDconnect | Unifying Health Access
- Full Lancet Oncology article (subscription required): Revolutionising cancer treatment access in low-income and middle-income countries: a sustainable approach – The Lancet Oncology ↩︎