Cancer medicines too expensive for Indian patients, finds survey
At a time when cancer is fast spreading globally owing to genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, India is also witnessing a steep rise, particularly among women
Although Americans pay the highest prices in the world for cancer drugs, the treatments are least affordable in lower income countries, according to the results of a new study.
Relative to their ability to pay, cancer patients in China and India tend to face much higher prices than wealthier US patients, according to new research. While Australia had the most affordable prices, for both cancer medicines under patent and less-expensive generics, the study examined retail prices and affordability in Australia, China, India, Israel, the UK, the US and South Africa.
Patented, or brand-name drugs included Avastin, Herceptin and Rituxan. The report showed that generics were more affordable, amounting to about half of what patients could afford in China, 33% in India and considerably less elsewhere.
At a time when cancer is fast spreading globally owing to genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, India is also witnessing a steep rise and significantly, more women are getting cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), every 13th new cancer patient in the world is an Indian and breast, cervical and oral cancers top the list in the country. 'Out of 1.25 million new cancer patients each year in India, over 700,000 are women,' said Ranga Rao Rangaraju, Director (oncology services) at Max Super Specialty Hospital.
Nearly 350,000 lakh women face death owing to cancer each year, and the figure is likely to go up to 450,000 by 2025, Rangaraju said.
According to a recent study, India has seen a 7.5% rise in the number of cancer patients primarily due to poor lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle problems have contributed to breast, ovarian and cervix uteri cancers among women, says the Globocan project study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
