How a Collaborative Approach is Making Cancer Drugs More Affordable in India

In a modest tin shed-turned-waiting area at a cancer hospital in Silchar, north-eastern India, a quiet revolution is taking place. Scores of patients from nearby towns and villages are benefiting from an initiative that aims to make cancer drugs more affordable. The Cachar Cancer Centre, part of the National Cancer Grid, has joined forces with other treatment centers to bulk buy drugs, reducing costs by more than 85%. This initiative has provided a lifeline for some of the country’s poorest people, who would otherwise struggle to afford the expensive, protracted treatments. By extending treatments over 10 cycles, breast cancer treatment alone can cost more than $6,000, which is beyond the reach of many households in a country where the average salary is less than $700. The impact of this initiative is evident through the story of Baby Nandi, who previously had to travel thousands of kilometers for breast cancer treatment. With the drugs now available in her home city at a third of the cost, her family’s financial burden has significantly decreased. This project addresses the significant challenge of accessing healthcare resources in smaller towns and rural areas, where most of India’s cancer patients reside. By bringing cancer drugs to these locations, the initiative aims to bridge the gap in the healthcare system. The success of this collaborative approach led by the Tata Memorial Hospital has attracted interest from hospitals and state governments across the country. With plans to expand the list of drugs covered and consider broader cancer care purchases, this initiative has the potential to alleviate the financial strain of cancer treatment for millions of patients in India and serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.