Kenyan Cancer Patients Set to Access Cheaper Drugs

Pfizer and Cipla, who are global drug manufacturers have signed a deal that will see Kenyans buy a range of up to 16 cancer drugs at half the market price.

The deal, which is also supported by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), will see increased access to cancer treatment including chemotherapies.

Five other African countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia will also benefit from the partnership.

Pfizer will provide 11 branded cancer medicines, among them Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Docetaxel, Doxorubicin and Epirubicin while Cipla on the other hand will provide Anastrazole, Bleomycin, Capecitabine, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Cytarabine, Oxaliplatin and Vinblastine.

ACS Chief Executive Officer, Gary M Reedy noted that every person with cancer deserves access to treatment, no matter where they live.

“Collaborating with companies like Pfizer and Cipla is a critical next step toward leveling the playing field for people with cancer and saving lives in this part of the world,” said Reedy.

Reed added that ACS was committed to making sure that the progress made in the US was not limited to their borders inly but to oher regions across the globe too.

An estimated 44 percent of all cancer cases reported in sub-Saharan Africa every year occur in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

CHAI chief executive, Ira Magaziner, said that an analysis of current procurement practices suggests that African governments could move to cost-competitive, quality-approved medicines while reducing current costs by more than half through effective implementation of these programmes.

The Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations chairman, David Makumi said the initiative will ease the financial burden on patients receiving chemotherapy.