India needs national strategy to improve access to new cancer therapies: Experts

NEW DELHI: India needs a coordinated national strategy to bridge the gap between breakthrough cancer treatments and patient access, ensuring that scientific advances benefit every eligible patient, leading oncologists, cancer survivors and public health experts said.

Speaking at a media roundtable on “Bridging Innovation and Affordability in Cancer Care”, organised by the Indian Cancer Society (ICS), the experts said that although cancer treatment has advanced significantly, access remains limited due to high costs, inadequate insurance coverage, limited diagnostic facilities and unequal healthcare infrastructure.

The roundtable, held during Cancer Survivor Month, brought together oncologists and cancer survivors to discuss ways to make innovations in cancer care more affordable and accessible across India.

Jyotsna Govil, chairperson of the Indian Cancer Society, said cancer care is entering a new era of scientific innovation, but the challenge is ensuring these advances reach every patient who can benefit. “Through dialogues like these, we hope to encourage informed public conversations that help improve access to quality cancer care while keeping patients at the centre of every decision”, she said.

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Experts said India does not have to choose between innovation and affordability. Instead, they called for public resources to focus on therapies that offer the greatest public health benefit. They stressed that wider adoption of new cancer treatments should be based on strong clinical evidence, improvements in survival and quality of life, cost-effectiveness and relevance to India’s disease burden.

Dr Ravi Mehrotra, Management Committee Member of the Indian Cancer Society and former Director of the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), called for evidence-based prioritisation of cancer therapies.

“India does not have to choose between innovation and affordability. Evidence-based prioritisation, supported by scientific evaluation and real-world evidence, can help ensure that scientific advances translate into meaningful health gains for the largest number of patients,” he said.

The experts also emphasised the need to strengthen scientific evaluation systems, including Health Technology Assessment, to support decisions on adopting innovative therapies under publicly funded healthcare programmes. They said proven treatments could gradually be included under schemes such as Ayushman Bharat to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenses.

Dr Ajay Gogia, Professor of Medical Oncology at Dr B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), AIIMS New Delhi, said the future of cancer treatment lies in providing the most suitable therapy for each patient.

“Precision medicine, supported by scientific evidence and appropriate patient selection, enables us to improve outcomes while making better use of healthcare resources. Evidence-based optimisation of treatment can also help improve affordability. Innovation achieves its true value only when patients can access it,” he said.

Dr (Prof) Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead of Medical and Precision Oncology at Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre and Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said India has the potential to become a global leader in cancer research because of its clinical expertise and diverse patient population.

“Greater collaboration in clinical research will help improve future standards of care while generating evidence that reflects India’s healthcare realities and expands access to innovative therapies including biosimilars,” she said.

Dr Pragya Shukla, Head of Clinical Oncology at Delhi State Cancer Institute, stressed the need to strengthen public financing, evidence-based reimbursement systems and healthcare infrastructure. “Our fight against cancer cannot be considered successful until the recommended treatment reaches even the poorest of the poor. Scientific advances achieve their true purpose only when every patient who needs them has a fair opportunity to receive them,” she said.

Cancer survivors also shared their experiences of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, saying timely access to innovative therapies, financial support and proper medical guidance can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.

The experts also called for stronger efforts in cancer prevention, tobacco control, HPV and Hepatitis B vaccination, early detection and organised screening programmes. They said reducing India’s cancer burden would require a balanced approach that combines prevention, innovation and equitable access.

The roundtable concluded with a consensus that collaboration among the government, healthcare institutions, researchers, industry, civil society and patient groups is essential to ensure that advances in cancer treatment benefit all patients. (ANI)