Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico
Abstract Background More alternatives have become available for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Because of increasing demands, governments are now facing a problem of limited affordability and availability of essential cancer medicines. Yet, precise informa...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2020-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05167-9 |
| _version_ | 1818518954042195968 |
|---|---|
| author | Daniela Moye-Holz Margaret Ewen Anahi Dreser Sergio Bautista-Arredondo Rene Soria-Saucedo Jitse P. van Dijk Sijmen A. Reijneveld Hans V. Hogerzeil |
| author_facet | Daniela Moye-Holz Margaret Ewen Anahi Dreser Sergio Bautista-Arredondo Rene Soria-Saucedo Jitse P. van Dijk Sijmen A. Reijneveld Hans V. Hogerzeil |
| author_sort | Daniela Moye-Holz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background More alternatives have become available for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Because of increasing demands, governments are now facing a problem of limited affordability and availability of essential cancer medicines. Yet, precise information about the access to these medicines is limited, and the methodology is not very well developed. We assessed the availability and affordability of essential cancer medicines in Mexico, and compared their prices against those in other countries of the region. Methods We surveyed 21 public hospitals and 19 private pharmacies in 8 states of Mexico. Data were collected on the availability and prices of 49 essential cancer medicines. Prices were compared against those in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia and PAHO’s Strategic Fund. Results Of the various medicines, mean availability in public and private sector outlets was 61.2 and 67.5%, respectively. In the public sector, medicines covered by the public health insurance “People’s Health Insurance” were more available. Only seven (public sector) and five (private sector) out of the 49 medicines were considered affordable. Public sector procurement prices were 41% lower than in other countries of the region. Conclusions The availability of essential cancer medicines, in the public and private sector, falls below World Health Organization’s 80% target. The affordability remains suboptimal as well. A national health insurance scheme could serve as a mechanism to improve access to cancer medicines in the public sector. Comprehensive pricing policies are warranted to improve the affordability of cancer medicines in the private sector. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:17:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-095281a4b9ae426780c006524b0ba454 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:17:18Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-095281a4b9ae426780c006524b0ba4542022-12-22T01:25:50ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632020-05-0120111110.1186/s12913-020-05167-9Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of MexicoDaniela Moye-Holz0Margaret Ewen1Anahi Dreser2Sergio Bautista-Arredondo3Rene Soria-Saucedo4Jitse P. van Dijk5Sijmen A. Reijneveld6Hans V. Hogerzeil7Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenHealth Action International (HAI)National Institute of Public Health (INSP)National Institute of Public Health (INSP)Boston University School of Public HealthDepartment of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenDepartment of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenDepartment of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenAbstract Background More alternatives have become available for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Because of increasing demands, governments are now facing a problem of limited affordability and availability of essential cancer medicines. Yet, precise information about the access to these medicines is limited, and the methodology is not very well developed. We assessed the availability and affordability of essential cancer medicines in Mexico, and compared their prices against those in other countries of the region. Methods We surveyed 21 public hospitals and 19 private pharmacies in 8 states of Mexico. Data were collected on the availability and prices of 49 essential cancer medicines. Prices were compared against those in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia and PAHO’s Strategic Fund. Results Of the various medicines, mean availability in public and private sector outlets was 61.2 and 67.5%, respectively. In the public sector, medicines covered by the public health insurance “People’s Health Insurance” were more available. Only seven (public sector) and five (private sector) out of the 49 medicines were considered affordable. Public sector procurement prices were 41% lower than in other countries of the region. Conclusions The availability of essential cancer medicines, in the public and private sector, falls below World Health Organization’s 80% target. The affordability remains suboptimal as well. A national health insurance scheme could serve as a mechanism to improve access to cancer medicines in the public sector. Comprehensive pricing policies are warranted to improve the affordability of cancer medicines in the private sector.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05167-9AvailabilityAffordabilityPricesEssential cancer medicinesMexico |
| spellingShingle | Daniela Moye-Holz Margaret Ewen Anahi Dreser Sergio Bautista-Arredondo Rene Soria-Saucedo Jitse P. van Dijk Sijmen A. Reijneveld Hans V. Hogerzeil Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico BMC Health Services Research Availability Affordability Prices Essential cancer medicines Mexico |
| title | Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico |
| title_full | Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico |
| title_short | Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country – the case of Mexico |
| title_sort | availability prices and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle income country the case of mexico |
| topic | Availability Affordability Prices Essential cancer medicines Mexico |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05167-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT danielamoyeholz availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT margaretewen availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT anahidreser availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT sergiobautistaarredondo availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT renesoriasaucedo availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT jitsepvandijk availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT sijmenareijneveld availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico AT hansvhogerzeil availabilitypricesandaffordabilityofselectedessentialcancermedicinesinamiddleincomecountrythecaseofmexico |