Availability, prices, and affordability of selected essential cancer medicines in a middle-income country - the case of Mexico.

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.

Access to cancer medication in public hospitals in a middle-income country: The view of stakeholder.

BACKGROUND: Access to cancer medicines is a core component of comprehensive cancer care; as such, it is included in Mexico's public health insurance: Seguro Popular de Salud (SPS). Learning about stakeholders' experiences on processes and barriers influencing access to essential cancer medicines within healthcare facilities allows identifying needed policies to improve access to cancer care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to obtain the insights of health professionals in public hospitals in Mexico on how SPS influences access to cancer medicines regarding medicine selection, financing, and procurement and supply systems. The purpose is to identify policy areas that need strengthening to improve access to cancer medicines. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 67 health professionals from 21 public hospitals accredited by SPS across Mexico. A framework analysis was used with categories of analysis derived from the World Health Organization's Access framework. RESULTS: Most stakeholders reported that the availability of listed cancer medicines was sufficient. However, cancer specialists reported that medicines coverage by SPS was restrictive covering only basic cancer care. Public hospitals followed SPS treatment protocols in selecting and prescribing cancer medicines but used different procurement procedures. When essential cancer medicines were unavailable (not listed or stocked-out), hospitals reported several strategies such as prescribing alternative therapies, resorting to direct purchases, and assisting patients in obtaining medicines elsewhere. Other reported barriers to access to treatment were: distance to health facilities, poor insurance coverage, and financial restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals have encountered benefits and challenges from the implementation of SPS influencing access to cancer medicines and care in Mexico, pointing to areas in which action is necessary. Finding the right balance between expanding the range and cost of cancer treatments covered by insurance and making basic cancer care available to all is a challenge faced by Mexico and other middle-income countries.

The Impact of Price Negotiations on Public Procurement Prices and Access to 8 Innovative Cancer Medicines in a Middle-Income Country: The Case of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: To mitigate the effect of high prices, in 2008 Mexico established a commission that negotiates single procurement prices for patented medicines in the public sector. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the possible effect of price negotiations on the prices of new essential cancer medicines in Mexico between 2010 and 2016 and on access to these new cancer medicines. METHODS: We retrieved the public procurement prices and volume of 8 selected innovative cancer medicines in Mexico in addition to their maximum retail prices in the private sector. We calculated the median, interquartile (25%-75%) range, and maximum and minimum public procurement prices to analyze price changes and trends. We assessed changes between the maximum retail prices and the public procurement prices and changes in the volume procured from 2010 to 2016. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2016, the prices of selected patented cancer medicines in the public sector decreased by 40% to 85%, expressed in US dollars. When expressed in Mexican pesos, public prices for 5 medicines reduced and others remained stable, whereas prices increased in the private sector over the same period. Procurement prices were not uniform between and within public institutions. The volumes of selected cancer medicines supplied in the public sector increased over the years, suggesting better access. CONCLUSION: Although direct causality is difficult to prove, the establishment of the negotiating commission seems to have led to reduced prices and possibly better access in the public sector. Medicine procurement by public hospitals should be monitored to ensure that negotiated prices benefit all institutions.

The importance of insulin donations for children in 43 low- and middle-income countries.

Diabetes mellitus is rapidly becoming one of the major diseases affecting people's health globally. Over half of 100 million diabetes patients who need insulin to survive, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), are not able to get this medicine and die prematurely. Since 2000, insulin-producing companies have started support programmes with a component of insulin donations to children and youth with type 1 diabetes in 43 LMIC. Based on their experiences we conclude, contrary to common belief, that the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fatal complications in children with type 1 diabetes in LMIC are very possible in practice, with large improvements in survival, mean body weight, mean glucose levels, and frequency of complications. Medicine donations can never offer a sustainable solution and we now propose a ten-step transition process towards a fully sustainable national diabetes care and prevention programme for children and youth with diabetes type 1.

Access to innovative cancer medicines in a middle-income country - the case of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Cancer has become the third cause of death in Mexico. Treatment for cancer is often complex and lengthy. New and better medicines enter the market at high prices, which may limit access. Like most Latin American countries, Mexico has an essential cancer medicines list that includes innovative medicines. Their accessibility and use in the public sector remains unknown. Therefore, we describe the use, as a proxy of access, of innovative and essential cancer medicines in the public sector in Mexico, by insurance institution, and by five regions between 2010 to 2016. METHODS: We used drug utilization research methods to assess the use of eight patented cancer medicines. Through the national transparency platform, we obtained data on the quantities of these medicines used in all public health facilities and social health insurance institutions and recalculated those figures into defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 population per year. RESULTS: Overall, the use of all medicines increased over the years, especially for trastuzumab, rituximab and imatinib. The use of innovative medicines was higher per population covered in social health insurance institutions than in governmental facilities. Throughout the study period, the Central region (including Mexico City) has used more medicines per population than the other regions. CONCLUSIONS: The use and access of some essential innovative cancer medicines has increased over the years, but remains unequal across insurance schemes and regions. Particularly, the Ministry of Health Insurance scheme and Northern and Western regions in the country would benefit from additional efforts to increase access to essential cancer medicines.