There are more than 3,000 projects in the biopharmaceutical pipeline for cancer treatments. These include, in particular, treatments for lung, prostate, and breast cancers and other rare types of cancer. This pipeline is being built using cutting-edge technology and pioneering approaches to science and medicine.
Over 1,300 cancer medicines and vaccines are in development or under review by the US Food and Drug Administration, the majority of which are likely to be first-in-class medicines with new and unique mechanisms of action, said the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (IFPMA).
All these medicines in the pipeline, as well as the new innovative vaccines and treatments that are available now, have the potential of saving more lives. With these innovations and collective commitment, cancer need not be a death sentence.
In the forum “Transformative Innovations in Cancer Care: The Way Forward,” Michelle Erwee, global head of access to medicines at Takeda Pharmaceutical, said that none of these innovative cancer therapies will matter if patients are not able to get them.
Speaking in the said forum held in conjunction with the third anniversary of the enactment of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), Ms. Erwee highlighted a number of initiatives being undertaken by the research-based pharmaceutical industry to provide better access to patients across the globe.
Takeda’s flagship Blueprint for Innovative Healthcare Access and BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, have screened more than 200,000 patients for cancer, diabetes and hypertension; identified more than 12,000 patients for treatment; and trained over 3,300 healthcare professionals and community health workers.
Its Innovative Patient Affordability and Charitable Access Programs, meanwhile, provide access to innovative medicines in more than 55 countries and territories around the world. These programs have bridged the affordability gap for more than 4,500 patients.
Ms. Erwee also presented the initiatives that the industry is implementing to address affordability barriers. Tiered pricing adjusts the price of medicines to a country’s socioeconomic status and the maturity of its health system.
Value-based agreements respond to the needs of payers and providers to manage uncertainty around the real-world outcomes and economic impact of innovative medicines. Meanwhile, patient assistance programs increase access while addressing affordability hurdles.
Patient access programs are supporting patients in various ways — from early access of investigational drugs undergoing clinical trials, up to financing support for treatment cycles.
These programs, made possible through a multi-stakeholder effort, are the result of dialogue and collaboration between industry, professional associations, healthcare facilities, and patient groups in pooling in expertise and finding tailor-fit solutions adapted for the needs of each patient, in different countries.
“We as an industry believe that a holistic approach is required, not only because it enables broader access, but it also ensures sustainability,” said Ms. Erwee.
The industry’s strategic framework involves implementing innovative affordability programs, collaborating with policy makers, and building long-term, sustainable capacity, all of which are facilitated by strategic partnerships. These affordability programs are delivered through targeted partnerships across the whole patient journey.
Ms. Erwee called on all stakeholders to work together in facilitating access to medicines, vaccines and diagnostics; strengthening countries’ healthcare capacity; and accelerating access for patients in need.
“NICCA offers us the opportunity to come together in achieving our main objective of providing enhanced access to patients. Through this collaboration and continued broadening of partner stakeholders, we can provide sustainable access and make an impact on the lives of patients,” she said.
The Philippines has achieved a great milestone with the passage of the NICCA law. The various provisions provided in the law, and in particular the provision on access to essential medicines, is enabling opportunities to collaborate and provide holistic solutions.
This provision mandates access to medicines in the design of publicly funded programs and also recognizes the complementary support that may be accessed from the private sector.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are at the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.
