Abstract
IntroductionAccess to childhood cancer medicines is a critical global health challenge. There is a lack of sufficient context-specific data in Ghana on access to essential medicines for treating childhood cancers. Here, we present an analysis of essential cancer medicine availability, pricing, and affordability using the pediatric oncology unit of a tertiary hospital as the reference point.MethodData on prices and availability of 20 strength-specific essential cancer medicines and eight non-cancer medicines were evaluated using the modified World Health Organization (WHO)/Health Action International method. Two pharmacies in the hospital and four private pharmacies around the hospital were surveyed. We assessed their median price ratio using the WHO international reference price guide. The number of days wages per the government daily wage salary was used to calculate the affordability of medicines.ResultsThe mean availability of essential cancer medicines and non-cancer medicines at the hospital pharmacies were 27 and 38% respectively, and 75 and 84% respectively for private pharmacies. The median price ratio of cancer medicines was 1.85, and non-cancer medicines was 3.75. The estimated cost of medicines for treating a 30 kg child with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was GHȻ 4928.04 (US$907.56) and GHȻ 4878.00 (US$902.62) for Retinoblastoma, requiring 417 and 413-days wages respectively for the lowest-paid unskilled worker in Ghana.ConclusionThe mean availability of cancer medicines at the public and private pharmacies were less than the WHO target of 80%. The median price ratio for cancer and non-cancer medicines was less than 4, yet the cost of medicines appears unaffordable in the local setting. A review of policies and the establishment of price control could improve availability and reduce medicines prices for the low-income population.
Highlights
Access to childhood cancer medicines is a critical global health challenge
The mean availability of cancer medicines at the public and private pharmacies were less than the World Health Organization (WHO) target of 80%
The median price ratio for cancer and non-cancer medicines was less than 4, yet the cost of medicines appears unaffordable in the local setting
Summary
Access to childhood cancer medicines is a critical global health challenge. There is a lack of sufficient context-specific data in Ghana on access to essential medicines for treating childhood cancers. Children living in high-income countries (HICs) constitute approximately 10% of the global children population where access to cancer care is optimal [3]. Survival estimates in LMICs are scandalously lower than those in HICs. As earlier indicated by the WHO, children with cancer in LMICs are four time more likely to die of the disease than children from HICs [5]. As earlier indicated by the WHO, children with cancer in LMICs are four time more likely to die of the disease than children from HICs [5] Reasons cited for this disproportional burden include late diagnosis of the disease, abandonment of treatment due to high cost and lack of specialized care [5]
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