{"id":2497,"date":"2025-10-23T09:57:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T09:57:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/?p=2497"},"modified":"2025-10-23T09:57:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T09:57:31","slug":"rituximab-access-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/rituximab-access-in-low-and-middle-income-countries-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Rituximab access in Low- and Middle-Income Countries"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Rituximab<\/strong>, a life-saving monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of blood cancers,<strong> is now available as a biosimilar through NCDconnect, ensuring quality, affordability, and access to targeted cancer therapies<\/strong> across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2038.jpg\" alt=\"Pharmacy personnel handling chemotherapy agents at Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi\" class=\"wp-image-2505\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2038.jpg 960w, https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2038-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 960px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pharmacy personnel handling chemotherapy agents at Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi. Credit: The&nbsp;Medicines Patent Pool&nbsp;(MPP)&nbsp;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Why Access to Rituximab Matters<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Cancer is an increasing burden in LMICs, particularly <strong>non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)<\/strong> et <strong>Burkitt lymphoma<\/strong>, which disproportionately affect children and young adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rituximab is not a chemotherapy drug but a form of <strong>immunotherapy, <\/strong>offering a more targeted and less toxic approach to treating certain B-cell cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Used either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, <strong>rituximab significantly improves survival outcomes for patients<\/strong> with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma (NHL)<\/strong> et <strong>chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)<\/strong> in adults<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mature B-cell NHL<\/strong> et <strong>acute B-cell leukaemia<\/strong> in children (from 6 months of age)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/08880018.2020.1759741?needAccess=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recent data published in <em>Pediatric Hematology and Oncology<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;show that <strong>event-free survival (EFS) rates exceeded 96%<\/strong> in some paediatric Burkitt lymphoma risk groups when rituximab was added to treatment regimens. Relapse rates were also significantly reduced compared to chemotherapy alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">From WHO Essential List to National Action<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Rituximab is listed in the <strong>WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML)<\/strong> as a targeted therapy. It has also been adopted by at least <strong>42 national EMLs<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Uganda<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Senegal<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rwanda<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cameroon<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cape Verde<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite growing recognition, <strong>access remains limited<\/strong> across many LMIC health systems. <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8419977\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A review of 138 national EMLs<\/a> <\/mark>found that <strong>rituximab was the<\/strong> <strong>most commonly included biologic<\/strong>, <strong>yet many countries had no biologics listed at all<\/strong>. This absence on national EMLs often translates into limited prioritisation and underuse, impeding access to a medicine that is considered essential for treating certain blood cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Why Quality Matters in Biologics and Biosimilars Access<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to its structure based on living cells, <strong>Rituximab<\/strong> <strong>must meet strict quality standards to be safe and effective<\/strong>. Unlike traditional small-molecule medicines, <strong>biologics and biosimilars are sensitive to manufacturing conditions, storage, and transport<\/strong>. Variability in these factors can impact the medicine\u2019s clinical performance and patient safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some LMICs, limited regulatory oversight and informal procurement channels have led to substandard rituximab entering the market. In response, <strong>healthcare providers have sometimes stopped using the medicine altogether<\/strong>, not due to cost, but <strong>due to concerns around quality and reliability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That is why it is critical to procure rituximab only from trusted, quality-assured biosimilar sources. For a broader discussion on biologic and biosimilar quality and market dynamics, read our article<mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"> <\/mark><a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/expanding-access-to-quality-biologics-in-lmics-news\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/expanding-access-to-quality-biologics-in-lmics-news\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Expanding Access to Quality Biologics in LMICs. <\/mark><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Expanding Access Through NCDconnect<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>At<mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/\">NCDconnect<\/a><\/mark>, our mission is to <strong>bridge the access gap in Noncommunicable disease treatment <\/strong>by facilitating the procurement of high-quality, cost-effective, and appropriate health products, including <strong>essential medicines like rituximab<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rituximab available on our platform is<strong> an SRA\/WLA-approved biosimilar,<\/strong> ensuring that procurement agents and Ministries of Health can confidently source a <strong>safe, effective, and quality-assured product<\/strong>. For more details on our QA processes around biologics and biosimilars, read our article<mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"> <\/mark><a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/expanding-access-to-quality-biologics-in-lmics-news\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/expanding-access-to-quality-biologics-in-lmics-news\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\">Expanding Access to Quality Biologics in LMICs. <\/mark><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Benefits of procuring rituximab through NCDconnect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fair pricing <\/strong>through our not-for-profit model<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Streamlined procurement processes<\/strong> for essential and targeted NCD therapies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to <strong>complete treatment regimens<\/strong>, including compatible cytotoxic medicines and corticosteroids such as <strong>cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone<\/strong>, also available via NCDconnect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reliable delivery to <strong>mitigate stockouts and delays<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">The Case for Investment in Biologic and Biosimilar Therapies<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>To be effective, national cancer strategies must go beyond basic chemotherapy and <strong>include biologics like rituximab<\/strong>. Studies confirm that <strong>adding biologics improves survival, reduces relapse, and may lower long-term treatment costs<\/strong> by avoiding complications and retreatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, introducing biologics requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EML updates and financing strategies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Streamlined regulatory registration and forecasting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cross-programmatic procurement partnerships<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">A Step Toward More Equitable Cancer Care<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The inclusion of rituximab in NCDconnect&#8217;s portfolio reflects our broader commitment to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expand access to <strong>high-impact NCD treatments<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support the <strong>implementation of national cancer control plans<\/strong> (NCCPs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enable consolidated, <strong>scalable procurement of both essential and innovative products<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Securing access to rituximab enables health systems to move from basic availability toward best practice in cancer care.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-80e8f6b0 wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-cta__title\"><strong>Explore how NCDconnect can support your oncology and NCD procurement needs<\/strong><\/h3><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">For product specifications, registration status, or procurement guidance, contact our team today.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/contact-us-2\/\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nous contacter<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rituximab, a life-saving monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of blood cancers, is now available as a biosimilar through NCDconnect, ensuring quality, affordability, and access to targeted cancer therapies across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Why Access to Rituximab Matters Cancer is an increasing burden in LMICs, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Burkitt lymphoma, which [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Rituximab<\/strong>, a life-saving monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of blood cancers,<strong> is now available as a biosimilar through NCDconnect, ensuring quality, affordability, and access to targeted cancer therapies<\/strong> across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":2505,\"aspectRatio\":\"16\/9\",\"scale\":\"cover\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_2038.jpg\" alt=\"Pharmacy personnel handling chemotherapy agents at Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi\" class=\"wp-image-2505\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Pharmacy personnel handling chemotherapy agents at Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi. Credit: The&nbsp;Medicines Patent Pool&nbsp;(MPP)&nbsp;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"25px\",\"fontStyle\":\"normal\",\"fontWeight\":\"300\"}}} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Why Access to Rituximab Matters<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cancer is an increasing burden in LMICs, particularly <strong>non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)<\/strong> and <strong>Burkitt lymphoma<\/strong>, which disproportionately affect children and young adults.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Rituximab is not a chemotherapy drug but a form of <strong>immunotherapy, <\/strong>offering a more targeted and less toxic approach to treating certain B-cell cancers.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Used either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, <strong>rituximab significantly improves survival outcomes for patients<\/strong> with:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Non-Hodgkin\u2019s lymphoma (NHL)<\/strong> and <strong>chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)<\/strong> in adults<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Mature B-cell NHL<\/strong> and <strong>acute B-cell leukaemia<\/strong> in children (from 6 months of age)<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/08880018.2020.1759741?needAccess=true\">Recent data published in <em>Pediatric Hematology and Oncology<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;show that <strong>event-free survival (EFS) rates exceeded 96%<\/strong> in some paediatric Burkitt lymphoma risk groups when rituximab was added to treatment regimens. Relapse rates were also significantly reduced compared to chemotherapy alone.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"25px\",\"fontStyle\":\"normal\",\"fontWeight\":\"300\"}}} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">From WHO Essential List to National Action<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Rituximab is listed in the <strong>WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML)<\/strong> as a targeted therapy. It has also been adopted by at least <strong>42 national EMLs<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Uganda<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Senegal<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Rwanda<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Cameroon<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Cape Verde<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Despite growing recognition, <strong>access remains limited<\/strong> across many LMIC health systems. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8419977\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">A review of 138 national EMLs<\/a> found that <strong>rituximab was the<\/strong> <strong>most commonly included biologic<\/strong>, <strong>yet many countries had no biologics listed at all<\/strong>. This absence on national EMLs often translates into limited prioritisation and underuse, impeding access to a medicine that is considered essential for treating certain blood cancers.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontStyle\":\"normal\",\"fontWeight\":\"300\",\"fontSize\":\"25px\"}}} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Why Quality Matters in Biologics and Biosimilars Access<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Due to its structure based on living cells, <strong>Rituximab<\/strong> <strong>must meet strict quality standards to be safe and effective<\/strong>. Unlike traditional small-molecule medicines, <strong>biologics and biosimilars are sensitive to manufacturing conditions, storage, and transport<\/strong>. Variability in these factors can impact the medicine\u2019s clinical performance and patient safety.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In some LMICs, limited regulatory oversight and informal procurement channels have led to substandard rituximab entering the market. In response, <strong>healthcare providers have sometimes stopped using the medicine altogether<\/strong>, not due to cost, but <strong>due to concerns around quality and reliability.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>That is why it is critical to procure rituximab only from trusted, quality-assured biosimilar sources. For a broader discussion on biologic and biosimilar quality and market dynamics, <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">read our article <\/mark><a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/expanding-access-to-quality-biologics-in-lmics-news\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/expanding-access-to-quality-biologics-in-lmics-news\/\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Expanding Access to Quality Biologics in LMICs.<\/mark> <\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"25px\",\"fontStyle\":\"normal\",\"fontWeight\":\"300\"}}} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Expanding Access Through NCDconnect<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/\">NCDconnect<\/a>, our mission is to <strong>bridge the access gap in Noncommunicable disease treatment <\/strong>by facilitating the procurement of high-quality, cost-effective, and appropriate health products, including <strong>essential medicines like rituximab<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The rituximab available on our platform is<strong> an SRA\/WLA-approved biosimilar,<\/strong> ensuring that procurement agents and Ministries of Health can confidently source a <strong>safe, effective, and quality-assured product<\/strong>. For more details on our QA processes around biologics and biosimilars, <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>read our article Expanding Access to Quality Biologics in LMICs.<\/strong><\/mark> <strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">EMBED LINK<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Benefits of procuring rituximab through NCDconnect:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Fair pricing <\/strong>through our not-for-profit model<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Streamlined procurement processes<\/strong> for essential and targeted NCD therapies<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Access to <strong>complete treatment regimens<\/strong>, including compatible cytotoxic medicines and corticosteroids such as <strong>cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone<\/strong>, also available via NCDconnect<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Reliable delivery to <strong>mitigate stockouts and delays<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"25px\",\"fontStyle\":\"normal\",\"fontWeight\":\"300\"}}} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">The Case for Investment in Biologic and Biosimilar Therapies<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To be effective, national cancer strategies must go beyond basic chemotherapy and <strong>include biologics like rituximab<\/strong>. Studies confirm that <strong>adding biologics improves survival, reduces relapse, and may lower long-term treatment costs<\/strong> by avoiding complications and retreatment.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However, introducing biologics requires:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>EML updates and financing strategies<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Streamlined regulatory registration and forecasting<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Cross-programmatic procurement partnerships<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1,\"style\":{\"typography\":{\"fontSize\":\"25px\",\"fontStyle\":\"normal\",\"fontWeight\":\"300\"}}} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">A Step Toward More Equitable Cancer Care<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The inclusion of rituximab in NCDconnect's portfolio reflects our broader commitment to:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Expand access to <strong>high-impact NCD treatments<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Support the <strong>implementation of national cancer control plans<\/strong> (NCCPs)<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Enable consolidated, <strong>scalable procurement of both essential and innovative products<\/strong><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Securing access to rituximab enables health systems to move from basic availability toward best practice in cancer care.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:uagb\/call-to-action {\"classMigrate\":true,\"tempDesc\":\"For product specifications, registration status, or procurement guidance, contact our team today.\",\"titleColor\":\"\",\"block_id\":\"80e8f6b0\",\"showIcon\":false,\"ctaText\":\"Contact us\",\"ctaLink\":\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/contact-us-2\/\",\"btnBorderTopWidth\":1,\"btnBorderLeftWidth\":1,\"btnBorderRightWidth\":1,\"btnBorderBottomWidth\":1,\"btnBorderTopLeftRadius\":30,\"btnBorderTopRightRadius\":30,\"btnBorderBottomLeftRadius\":30,\"btnBorderBottomRightRadius\":30,\"btnBorderStyle\":\"none\",\"btnBorderColor\":\"#333\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-80e8f6b0 wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-cta__title\"><strong>Explore how NCDconnect can support your oncology and NCD procurement needs<\/strong><\/h3><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">For product specifications, registration status, or procurement guidance, contact our team today.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/en\/contact-us-2\/\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Contact us<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:uagb\/call-to-action -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[47,51,29],"tags":[20,57,56,58,21,54,55,38],"class_list":["post-2497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accesstocare","category-ncd-solutions","category-news","tag-access-to-medicines","tag-biologics","tag-biosimilars","tag-health-equity","tag-medicine-procurement","tag-oncology","tag-rituximab","tag-sourcing"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-150x75.png",150,75,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-300x150.png",300,150,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"large":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21-18x9.png",18,9,true],"et-pb-post-main-image":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-portfolio-image":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-portfolio-module-image":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-portfolio-image-single":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-gallery-module-image-portrait":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth-large":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-image--responsive--desktop":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-image--responsive--tablet":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false],"et-pb-image--responsive--phone":["https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/21.png",400,200,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Esme Fowler-Mason","author_link":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/author\/esmefm\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Rituximab, a life-saving monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of blood cancers, is now available as a biosimilar through NCDconnect, ensuring quality, affordability, and access to targeted cancer therapies across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Why Access to Rituximab Matters Cancer is an increasing burden in LMICs, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Burkitt lymphoma, which\u2026","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2497"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2497\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2577,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2497\/revisions\/2577"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ncdconnect.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}