Five challenges to improving access to cancer treatments

Following decades of public health investments that have reduced the burden of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases are becoming a bigger threat to the health of populations in emerging markets. The rise in per capita GDP and purchasing power in these markets has been accompanied by an increased prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Healthcare infrastructure in emerging markets, however, has not kept pace with the rise in non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. Historical health priorities such as childhood and communicable diseases remain priorities, ahead of cancer, chronic diseases, and other diseases of aging. Given limited resources and fixed government healthcare budgets, public health systems face considerable challenges in delivering timely diagnosis and treatment to cancer patients.
In this Insights, we outline five major challenges to accessing innovative cancer treatments in emerging markets and the opportunities that exist for pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers to meet need and improve access to treatment.